James Bowman & Kenneth Weiss | Henry Purcell - 'Fairest Isle' (from 'Songs for Ariel')

In 2005, after several years of absence from the recording world, James Bowman recorded a very English recital programme covering five centuries of music. Presented under the title of Shakespeare's airy spirit, Ariel, the repertoire covers many aspects of his long and distinguished career, about which his own liner note and an interview with the musicologist Richard Langham Smith reveal some of the secrets. As accompanist James Bowman has chosen the American harpsichordist and pianist Kenneth Weiss, with whom he has been giving recitals for many years.
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[@cristianapresutti145]

R.I.P and thank you for the Beauty you gave us 😢

[@simonroe-ko8yx]

he will be greatly missed,but left an incredible legacy, rip

[@markedwards5114]

RIP James. Thank you for introducing me to the wonder of the countertenor voice

[@AntPDC]

Lovely tribute to dear James, thank you Ian.

[@christopherwright7855]

I first heard James Bowman sing in New College chapel in October 1961, and 2 or 3 times a week for the next three years. His voice seemed to come magically from nowhere, often without perceptible attack, possible partly as a result of the chapel acoustics: glorious there, and glorious here.

[@proverbs31woman14]

Now this is it!!!! I really did not care for Scholl's version, and someone recommended Bowman.

[@megenberg8]

natural voice. as though he were singing from the first trimester. : )

[@DouglasBrooksDavies]

I heard him at exactly the same time (1961-4). I sang alto in a performance of the B minor Mass at The Queen’s College in 62 or -3; he was the countertenor soloist. His sound was utterly thrilling and humbling.

[@tejasnair3399]

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.

[@IanMalkin]

Thank you!

[@IanMalkin]

It's a pleasure. It was a pleasure to record and will always be a pleasure to listen to.

[@Lindsay211251]

exquisite

[@serenaluce]

Sheer beauty! Great Bowman! Thanks for posting.

[@newearth2023]

for me the best countertenor. such a warm deep voice.

[@nathaniellowry3861]

Beautiful piece!!!

[@hans-jurgenandresen1542]

Many Thanks Ian, many thanks! So zart und wunderschön singt James Bowman, so gut.

[@AlamoCityCello]

Excellent! BRAVO!!

[@edpaterson3529]

None has sung it better.

[@mikoformiko]

the harpsichord sounds somewhat unusual. is it a special instrument in some way?

[@IanMalkin]

Dear Miko, the instrument played here is called an ottavino which is a kind of small harpsichord and plays at a higher pitch. You can read more about the piece and the album via this link: www.satirino.fr/artist_records/songs-for-ariel Best wishes, Ian Malkin

[@IanMalkin]

It's an ottavino, a tiny spinette.