Counter-tenor Duets and Song:
Purcell and his contemporaries

Purcell, Humphrey and Blow

Ryland Angel - counter tenor
Mark Chambers - counter tenor
Laurence Cummings - organ and harpsichord
Taro Takeuchi - lute, theorbo and b'que guitar
Reiko Ichise - bass viol
Becky Davies & Laura Hird - recorders
Rodolfo Richter and Claire Duff - violins
Emma Alter - viola

Playing time: 61 mins.

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Gramophone, Awards Issue 2000

"A welcome airing, delightfully performed, of the surprisingly low-profile Purcell"

In an age of ubiquitous countertenors, there is every chance that Purcell's music will now recover from an unintelligibly low profile since his heady celebration year in 1995. This programme of airs and duets, interspersed with Purcell's contemporaries, Blow and Humfrey and brother Daniel, was recorded last year in the resonant Douai Abbey in Berkshire and features two well-match, if timbrally and musically distinctive singers. 'In vain the am'rous flute' is one of several duets which reveals an easy exchange of like-minded phrasing, gratifyingly extended to an agreeably receptive instrumental ensemble.

Ryland Angel is the more fruity of the two and demonstrates his effortless legato in 'Music for a while' and 'Here the deities approve' (from the 1683 St Cecilia's Day Ode) - the former rather more projected than the famous Deller 'signature tune', with the latter as sensuously caressed as James Bowman in his heyday. Angel can indeed boast a most fluent delivery in all registers, as we hear in the relatively growly fathoms of 'One charming night'. Mark Chambers sings his quota of solo songs with pin-point clarity of sound, occasionally a touch unyielding, though at best reminding me of David Hurley's lofty rendering of Humfrey's 'A Hymne to God the Father' (EMI - nla) … The singers and instrumentalists manage, after a good hour, to keep one wanting more: with all due respect, quite an achievement in back-to-back countertenor songs. Jonathan Freeman-Attwood

Early Music Today, August/September 2001

One of Daniel Purcell's songs sneaks into a programme of countertenor songs (most are by the estimable Henry) performed by young countertenors Ryland Angel and Mark Chambers. Both have mellifluous, unforced voices with reserves of real power, and intonation and diction are superb. Interpretations are confidently expressive without being precious. The continuo playing (led by the admirable Laurence Cummings) is excellent, and nicely varied with recorders and strings. The Douai Abbey acoustic is lively, and serves the voices well. A thoroughly enjoyable disc, with the duets (of which there are seven) being special treats. I look forward to more from these two.