O Solitude

Andreas Scholl (countertenor), Christophe Dumaux (countertenor) & Accademia Bizantina, Stefano Montanari

The greatest countertenor of today, Andreas Scholl returns to the Decca label with a recording of vocal jewels by the great baroque composer, Henry Purcell. This is Andreas Scholl's first ever recording of the music of Purcell and his uniquely beautiful voice is perfectly suited to the English composer's plangent melodies. The album includes pieces written for the stage, the church and the private chamber, some of which Andreas Scholl has sung in recital for many years, and some he sings for the first time.

Andreas Scholl's long-standing collaborators, ‘Accademia Bizantina’ bring out the Italian influence in Purcell's instrumental writing, and contribute orchestral items to the programme. 'O Solitude' is Andreas Scholl's first Decca album since the chart-topping ‘Handel: Arias For Senesino' in 2006.

The album includes the well known lament 'When I Am Laid In Earth' - recently voted the UK's No.1 favourite aria in a BBC Radio 3 poll - written for the character of Dido in Purcell's opera, Dido and Aeneas.

Andreas Scholl is joined for two duets by French countertenor Christophe Dumaux.

Over de cd ‘Crystal Tears’ met werk van onder anderen John Dowland schreef men: “Wie nog niet eerder iets van Andreas Scholl heeft gehoord, begint hier.” Daar komt nu ongetwijfeld een ‘nieuw begin’ bij, want voor het eerst in zijn carrière heeft de gevierde Duitse countertenor liederen van Henry Purcell opgenomen, de componist die hij tijdens recitals al vaak met veel succes uitvoerde. In dit intieme portret van de Engelse bard leidt Scholl zelf de Academia Bizantina.

Purcell:
 If music be the food of love, Z379
 Sound the trumpet, beat the drum, Z335 - with Christophe Dumaux (countertenor)
 Strike the Viol (from Come Ye Sons of Art, Z323)
 Fairest Isle (from King Arthur)
 Chacony, Z628
 What power art thou? (from King Arthur, Z628)
 Chacony in G minor - for Two Violins, Viola and Bass Z730
 One charming night (from The Fairy Queen, Z629)
 Sweeter than Roses (from Pausanius, the Betrayer of his Country, Z585)
 [Pausanius, the Betrayer of his Country. (1695), Z585 original version]
 An Evening Hymn 'Now that the sun hath veiled his light', Z193
 Pavan for Three Violins and Bass in G minor - Z752
 O solitude, my sweetest choice, Z406
 O dive custos Auriacae domus, Z504 - with Christophe Dumaux (countertenor)
 Music for a while, Z583
 Here the deities approve, Z339 - original version
 The Gordion Knot Untied - incidental music, Z597
 When I am laid in earth (from Dido and Aeneas)

"De samenwerking tussen Andreas Scholl en Accademia Bizantina bleek eerder een formule voor succes. Ensemble en vocalist zijn meesters in flexibiliteit: geen strakke lijnen, maar verbluffend vloeiend spel. Het duet ‘Sound the Trumpet’ is een absolute knaller."
Luister Magazine - LUISTER TIEN

"Ethereal yet visceral, Scholl's voice is the dream vehicle for Purcell...Stefano Montanari coaxes thrilling playing from Accademia Bizantina, who dance and swagger, throb and pulsate with true Latin passion. Their continuo realisations - here delicate and intimate, there audaciously jazzy - are an unceasing delight."
BBC Music Magazine - January 2011 *****

"There's no doubt about the theatrical intent driving Scholl's interpretations and the flamboyant work of Italian period instrument band, Accademia Bizantina. The latter's lively continuo group and multi-hued sounds certainly catch the full flavour...few singers...can match him for style and intelligent musicianship in this repertoire."
Classic FM Magazine - March 2011