SONGS BY PURCELL

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31321, 17 March 1967, Page 12

SONGS BY PURCELL

Recital At University Yesterday’s programme for the university’s lunch-hour recital began with Purcell’s songs from Orpheus Brittanicus, sung by Heather Taylor, accompanied on the harpsicord by William Hawkey. Mrs Taylor sang them with quite flashing vocal agility, lively and vivid tone, and with stylishly moulded phrasing. There are times when her line of vowel sounds calls for more closely disciplined attention, because some distortions are causing lack of clarity in words and could, unless corrected, affect tonal quality in some phrases Mrs Taylor’s vitally rhythmic verve always gives much pleasure and her singing of Handel’s “Meine Seche hort im Sehen” was a lovely outpouring of bright and wellrounded tone at the service of sensitive interpretative awareness. Mr Roger Buckton played the flute obligato in beautiful legato style, giving grace to the phrasing and an elegant texture to the ensemble pattern. His playing shows that he has a widely expresive command of the instrument.

Six songs by Alessandro Scarlatti were sung with dramatic eclat and with tonal colourings whose apt choice brought out the contrasts in the cycle with interesting effect. This was distinguished singing, showing a firmly grounded appreciation of style: and the refinements of both grave and gay Interpretations shone with a charming patina. It was interesting io note how Mrs Taylor’s tone improved so markedly when she sang in Italian Mr Hawkey played the harpsichord accompaniments with polished fluency and delighting clarity of line and phrase. —C.F B.