A lavish rendition of Henry Purcell's 'Hail! Bright Cecilia' has emerged from French ensemble Le Poème Harmonique and conductor Vincent Dumestre. This sumptuous recording brings to life one of Purcell's most celebrated compositions, an ode to the patron saint of music that exudes a sense of joyous celebration.
Purcell's masterwork is replete with allusions to musical instruments, including the notion that St Cecilia invented the organ. The composer's fertile imagination responded with an impressive array of arias, duets, and choruses, showcasing an astonishing range of instrumental textures, from the soaring violins to the lilting flutes and thunderous kettledrums.
Dumestre leads his ensemble with a deft hand, coaxing a wealth of detail and theatrical flair from each performance. The addition of harp in the continuo provides an added layer of depth and richness to the sound. British tenor Hugo Hymas is particularly noteworthy, bringing a lightness and vulnerability to his performances that is perfectly complemented by imaginative word-painting.
The rest of the soloists are equally impressive, with Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian's fruity countertenor providing a delightful counterpoint to Hymas in the sensual 'In Vain the Am'rous Flute'. Vlad Crosman brings a sense of awe and wonder to his performance in 'Wondrous Machine!', while John Blow's tuneful 'Welcome, Every Guest' is a welcome bonus, recorded complete for the first time.
Overall, this lavish recording of 'Hail! Bright Cecilia' is a triumph, showcasing Le Poème Harmonique's mastery of period instrumentation and Dumestre's skillful direction. It is a testament to the enduring power of Purcell's music, which continues to inspire and delight audiences with its beauty, wit, and technical wizardry.
Purcell's masterwork is replete with allusions to musical instruments, including the notion that St Cecilia invented the organ. The composer's fertile imagination responded with an impressive array of arias, duets, and choruses, showcasing an astonishing range of instrumental textures, from the soaring violins to the lilting flutes and thunderous kettledrums.
Dumestre leads his ensemble with a deft hand, coaxing a wealth of detail and theatrical flair from each performance. The addition of harp in the continuo provides an added layer of depth and richness to the sound. British tenor Hugo Hymas is particularly noteworthy, bringing a lightness and vulnerability to his performances that is perfectly complemented by imaginative word-painting.
The rest of the soloists are equally impressive, with Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian's fruity countertenor providing a delightful counterpoint to Hymas in the sensual 'In Vain the Am'rous Flute'. Vlad Crosman brings a sense of awe and wonder to his performance in 'Wondrous Machine!', while John Blow's tuneful 'Welcome, Every Guest' is a welcome bonus, recorded complete for the first time.
Overall, this lavish recording of 'Hail! Bright Cecilia' is a triumph, showcasing Le Poème Harmonique's mastery of period instrumentation and Dumestre's skillful direction. It is a testament to the enduring power of Purcell's music, which continues to inspire and delight audiences with its beauty, wit, and technical wizardry.
... The way they've woven together all these intricate instrumental textures is just pure magic, especially that harp part is giving me LIFE 
And can we talk about Hugo Hymas' voice for a second?! He's like an angel with a hint of mortal vulnerability 
The way he brings this aria to life is just... I don't even have words 
It's like they've created this perfect world where music and joy reign supreme 
... like they're trying to brainwash us into thinking it's just some innocent masterpiece 
. I mean, have you noticed the lack of any kind of "hidden" or "lost" pieces in this release? It's all so... convenient 
. And what about the harp? Is that really necessary? Sounds like a plot to distract us from the real issue 
. British tenor Hugo Hymas is pretty cool, I guess, but have you seen his schedule lately? Too many high-profile events... too much exposure 
. Maybe they're trying to get him on some kind of secret playlist or something 
. Give me a break!
And yet, when we listen to it, are we really listening to each other, or are we just basking in the glory of this sonic masterpiece? It's like, there's this line between indulgence and community, and I'm not sure where Le Poème Harmonique's recording sits on that spectrum...
and they're literally changing my life! I mean, have you tried using wireless earbuds in public? It's like a whole new world! Anyway, back to music... I've been listening to this Henry Purcell album nonstop and it's so pretty 
. I love how the harp adds that extra depth to the sound. But, um, what's with all these historical figures being saints now? Is that a thing in music history class or something? 
it's like a breath of fresh air for classical music lovers! The way Vincent Dumestre and his ensemble get to play all those instruments is just mind-blowing 
I mean, the harp in the continuo adds this whole new level of depth to the sound, you know? And Hugo Hymas's singing is just sublime 
it's like he's channeling all this joy and happiness into his performances. I'm totally obsessed with the soloists, especially Paul-Antoine Bénos-Djian's countertenor - that man can SING 
! Anyway, if you haven't listened to this recording yet, you need to ASAP 
it's a game-changer for anyone who loves classical music 
I also loved Vlad Crosman's take on "Wondrous Machine!", it gave me chills every time. 
, and Hugo Hymas's vocals are SO emotive 
. I mean, who knew Purcell could be so uplifting and joyful? 
This recording is a MUST LISTEN for any music lover, period! I'm still on a high from listening to it 
! The way they bring that music to life with all these different instruments and voices... it's just magic 
and Hugo Hymas's vocals are insane! he brings so much emotion to each song it's like you're right there with him 
paul-antoine benos-djian's countertenor is also super cool, adds this whole new level of depth to the music 
it's like they took all the magic out of the original and amplified it, you know? The harp addition is genius 
. Dumestre's direction is spot on, he really brings out the best in his soloists. Le Poème Harmonique must be doing something right! 
. Hugo Hymas as a tenor is insane 
Le Poème Harmonique really knows how to bring out the best in Purcell's music, and Vincent Dumestre is a genius conductor who coaxes so much emotion from his players. The harp adds this gorgeous sheen to the sound that's just magic 
smooth, rich, and absolutely delightful! What do you think of Le Poème Harmonique's latest release? Have you listened to it yet?
. And that 'Wondrous Machine!' by Vlad Crosman? Mind blown! It's clear Le Poème Harmonique has nailed the period instrumentation, and Dumestre's direction is top-notch. This recording is a must-listen for anyone who loves classical music - it's a true masterpiece 
. What's the point of all these fancy instruments and orchestras? Can't they just make something new and innovative for once, like a new kind of virtual reality or AI program that actually does something useful? I'm not getting any younger, let me tell you 
.