Track name: FAIREST ISLE
Trackcode: SCDV105527
Composer: Henry Purcell, John Dryden, John Gregory Knowles (Arr.)
アーティスト: Augusta Lees, Sally Heath, John Gregory Knowles, Timothy Murton Laight, James Rattigan
EAN/GTIN: 4020771217557
ISRC: DE-B63-21-75527
Album name: PATRIOTIC BRITAIN
Catalogue number: SCDV1055
Label: Sonoton Vanguard - SCDV
LC number: 07573
This 17th Century ballad was written by John Dryden and Henry Purcell for the semi-opera 'King Arthur' in 1691. It is a homage to England at a time when the country was living through devastating social upheaval. Female vocal and harpsichord. 110 bpm (Fmaj)
Arranged by John Gregory Knowles, Guy Protheroe, Timothy Murton Laight & James Rattigan. Produced by John Gregory Knowles. Recorded at EMPIRE STUDIO, Bethnal Green, London, UK; SKINNY FARM STUDIO, New Malden Surrey, UK and CODA STUDIO, Surbiton Surrey, UK. Sound engineer: Paul Golding.
Performed by Ian Humphries (violin), Rita Manning (violin), Adrian Varela (violin), Alison Kelly (violin), Ann Lovatt (violin), Judith Busbridge (viola), Frank Schaefer (cello), Deidre Cooper (cello), Chris Lawrence (double bass), Paul Morgan (double bass), John Anderson (oboe), Anna Noakes (flute), Nick Bucknall (clarinet), Crispian Steele Perkins (trumpet), James Rattigan (French horn, accordion), Tristan Fry (timpani), Sally Heath (piano, harpsichord), Helen Tunstall (harp), Chris Knowles (guitar), John Gregory Knowles (dulcimer, drums, percussion), Timothy Murton Laight (banjo).
Special thanks to Augusta Lees, Mark Glentworth and David Jones at Skinny Farm and Jacob Palmer at Coda.
Orchestral and choral management: Ann Manly, The English Chamber Choir Https://www.englishchamberchoir.co.uk/, conductor: Guy Protheroe. Orchestral leader and soloist: Ian Humphries. Copyist: Sara Loewenthal.
Mastered by Gerhart Frei at INTERSOUND Studios, Munich, Germany.
Cover art: Joe Miletzki
Fairest isle, all isles excelling
Seat of pleasure and of love
Venus here will choose her dwelling
And forsake her Cyprian grove
Cupid from his fav'rite nation
Care and envy will remove
Jealousy, that poisons passion
And despair, that dies for love
Gentle murmurs, sweet complaining
Sighs that blow the fire of love
Soft repulses, kind disdaining
Shall be all the pains you prove
Ev'ry swain shall pay his duty
Grateful ev'ry nymph shall prove
And as these excel in beauty
Those shall be renown'd for love