Lorenzo Ghirlanda, Vox Orchester, Marie-Sophie Pollak - Tales of Love and Passion (2026) [Hi-Res]

Tracklist

01. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: Prélude
02. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: Jig
03. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: See, Even Night
04. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: Dance for the Followers of Night
05. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: If Love’s a Sweet Passion
06. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: Symphony While the Swans Come Forward
07. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: Dance for the Green Men
08. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: Ye Gentle Spirits of the Air
09. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: Prélude to Act V
10. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: The Plaint
11. The Fairy Queen, Z. 629: Monkeys' Dance
12. King Arthur, or The British Worthy, Z. 628: Introduction to Act II
13. King Arthur, or The British Worthy, Z. 628: Higher, This Way Bend
14. King Arthur, or The British Worthy, Z. 628: How Blessed Are Shepherds
15. King Arthur, or The British Worthy, Z. 628: Prélude to Act III Scene 2
16. King Arthur, or The British Worthy, Z. 628: Faires Isle
17. King Arthur, or The British Worthy, Z. 628: La grande danse
18. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Ouverture
19. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Shake the Cloud
20. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Ah! Belinda
21. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: The Triumphing Dance
22. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Prelude for the Witches
23. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Echo Dance of Furies
24. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Ritornelle
25. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Thanks to These Lonesome
26. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: The Sailors Dance
27. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: The Witches Dance
28. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Your Counsel
29. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: Chorus. Great Minds
30. Dido and Aeneas, Z. 626: When I Am Laid

Henry Purcell Reimagined: Baroque Songs of Fate and Freedom. In this recording, the Vox Orchestra, conductor Lorenzo Ghirlanda and soprano Marie-Sophie Pollak explore some of Henry Purcell's most captivating songs from King Arthur, The Fairy Queen, and Dido and Aeneas. At the heart of the programme lies a theme that remains strikingly relevant today: the confrontation with the inevitable - war, love, duty, and loss.

Rather than presenting these works solely as excerpts from Baroque stage music, the performers highlight their original character as songs. Purcell's memorable melodies emerge with remarkable directness and emotional immediacy, while instrumental interludes function like modern introductions and codas. Bold string playing, expressive continuo, and vivid contrasts of tempo create a sound world that feels both historically informed and surprisingly contemporary.