“enjoyable anthology edition showing Deller at his finest. The others are good too, especially Gerald English … warm, expressively played instruments” (Penguin Guide)
“ Vanguard’s reissues of Purcell, the composer most closely associated with Deller … the purity of tone, the extraordinary resonance of lower and middle notes, the technical skill and sensitivity of his singing all remain … Stylish playing by George Malcolm and others (including young Neville Marriner) … celebrated not only Deller himself but his generation who did so much to bring Purcell out to reveal his genius” (Gramophone)
1. Oedipus (1692, Z.583) – Song: Music for a while 04:04
2. King Arthur (1691, Z.628) – : Fairest isle, all isles excelling 02:41
3. Pausanias (1695, Z.585) – Sweeter than roses 03:34
4. The Indian Queen (1695, Z.630) – I attempt from love’s sickness to fly 02:17
5. Song: If Music be the Food of Love (1st version, 1692, Z.379A) 02:36
6. Welcome to All the Pleasures “Ode On St. Cecilia’s Day”, Z. 339 –
Here The Deities Approve 04:39
7. Rejoice in the Lord Alway “Bell Anthem”, (c.1682-85, Z.49) 9.24
from The Fairy-Queen (1692, Z.629)
8. Mystery’s Song 0:54
9. Secrecy’s Song 2:01
10. Epithalamium: Thrice happy lovers 03:03
11. The Plaint 7:25
from Dido and Aeneas (c.1688, Z.626)
12. Overture 2:44
13. Fear no danger to ensue 1:45
14. Thy hand, Belinda
When I am laid in earth (Dido’s Lament)-
With drooping wings ye Cupids come 6.30
from My Beloved Spake (1677, Z.28)
15. Ouverture (Sinfonia) 1:03
16. My Beloved Spake 0:54
17. My Beloved is Mine 3.02
from Hail! Bright Cecilia (1692, Z.328)
18. The Fife and all the Harmony of War 3:04
19. Hail! Bright Cecilia 4.57
from Come Ye Sons of Art (1694, Z.323)
20. Sound the Trumpet 2:40
21. Come, Come, Ye Sons of Art 1:29
22. Strike the Viol 5:11
23. See Nature Rejoicing 2:46