Search - William Boyce, Graham Lea-Cox Conductor, Hanover Band :: Ode for St Cecilia's Day

Top-notch little-known music by a master, beautifully done

Allan Brain | Houston, TX USA | 03/18/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think the other reviewer got this one mixed up with another recording by similar forces--"The Secular Masque". This recording is of a genre that many composers, including notably Handel and Purcell wrote--a celebration of music itself. Purcell's and Handel's compositions are well-known and fairly often recorded. This is the world premiere recording of the Boyce, and it has some of the best "HIP" (historically informed performance) features on records today--original instruments, "authentic" vocal forces, etc.



The soloists are outstanding, as is the choir. If you like Handel or Purcell, or ceremonial music in general, you will be very pleased with this. Boyce's music should be much better known--only his "overtures" are performed or recorded often.



If for some bizarre reason, you don't like countertenors--who seem to be all the rage these days--stay away. If you love them, as so many do, grab this now before it goes out of print. The young boy soprano, Patrick Burrowes, is also very good, and in keeping with the "authentic" style, apparently the original performances featured a boy soloist. Excellent informative notes and texts as well."