Irish Baroque Orchestra, Peter Whelan and Sestina – The Hibernian Muse. Music for Ireland by Purcell and Cousser (2022) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Irish Baroque Orchestra, Peter Whelan and Sestina – The Hibernian Muse. Music for Ireland by Purcell and Cousser (2022)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 01:10:04 minutes | 1,25 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Linn Records

Continuing their investigation into the wealth of forgotten Baroque music from Ireland, the Irish Baroque Orchestra and its Music Director Peter Whelan now explore music by Cousser and Purcell.

Johann Sigismund Kusser or Cousser was a Hungarian composer who travelled to Dublin, via Germany, France and London. One of the most knowledgeable and respected operatic directors in Europe, he spent the last twenty years of his life in Dublin where he was “Chappel-Master of Trinity-Colledge” and “Master of the Irish State Musick” at Dublin Castle. His Serenata The Universal Applause of Mount Parnassus, given its premiere recording here, is an enormously colourful work composed for the birthday celebrations for Queen Anne in 1711. It is also the earliest extant example of operatic music composed in Dublin for Irish audiences.

Purcell wrote his Ode Great parent, hail! for the centenary of Trinity College Dublin in 1694 with a libretto by his collaborator and Trinity alum, Nahum Tate. This fascinating, little-known work contains some stunning music by Purcell. Its cautious tone delicately navigates the brittle political atmosphere in Dublin following the Glorious Revolution – the College having recently fallen for a time to the Jacobites. This recording will offer another huge surprise for those who know little of Ireland’s forgotten heritage in the art music.

Tracklist:
1. Peter Whelan – I. Overture (01:35)
2. Peter Whelan – II. Great Parent, Hail! (02:12)
3. Anthony Gregory – III. Another Century Commencing (02:23)
4. Anthony Gregory – IV. After War’s Alarms Repeated (03:01)
5. Aaron O’Hare – V. Awful Matron Take Thy Seat (03:18)
6. Anthony Gregory – VI. She Was the First Who Did Inspire (01:56)
7. Anthony Gregory – VII. Succeeding Princes Next Recite (01:43)
8. Peter Whelan – VIII. But Chiefly Recommend to Fame (01:36)
9. Peter Whelan – IX. Symphony (00:58)
10. Maria Keohane – X. The Royal Patron Sung. Repair (02:26)
11. Maria Keohane – XI. Then a Second Ormond’s Story (02:40)
12. Pablo FitzGerald – A New Irish Tune Z 646, “Lilliburlero” (Arr. for Lute by Pablo FitzGerald) (02:26)
13. Peter Whelan – No. 1, Overture (02:44)
14. Anthony Gregory – No. 2, Recitativo. Such Harmony (Apollo) (00:38)
15. Anthony Gregory – No. 3, Aria. Tuneful Virgins (Apollo) (01:31)
16. Anthony Gregory – No. 4, A Ground. No Other, Than Immortal Lays (The Nine Muses & Apollo) (03:58)
17. Maria Keohane – No. 5, Menuet & Recitativo. She Climbs the Highest Pyramids of Glory (Calliope) (01:16)
18. Maria Keohane – No. 6, Aria. Anna’s Deathless Acts Rehearsing (Calliope) (03:46)
19. Aisling Kenny – No. 7, Recitativo. Whilst Providence Supports Her (Clio) (00:09)
20. Aisling Kenny – No. 8, Aria. Future Ages (Clio) (01:55)
21. Sarah Thursfield – No. 9, Recitativo. She Shines With Heavenly Graces (Erato) (00:19)
22. Sarah Thursfield – No. 10, Aria. British Ladies’ Matchless Charms (Erato) (02:15)
23. Peter Whelan – No. 11, Chorus. The Bold Britons from Field When Returned (01:54)
24. Sinéad O’Kelly – No. 12, Recitativo. Her Pleasing Aspect Charmeth! (Thalia) (00:36)
25. Sinéad O’Kelly – No. 13, Aria. In Fortune’s Chariot Riding (Thalia) (01:58)
26. Maria Keohane – No. 14, Recitativo. Her Conquering Arms Implored (Melpomene) (00:12)
27. Maria Keohane – No. 15, Aria. Our Britain Never Gained (Melpomene) (03:28)
28. Sinéad O’Kelly – No. 16, Recitativo. Let Her but Wish (Terpsichore) (00:20)
29. Sinéad O’Kelly – No. 17, Aria. Fortune Caressing (Terpsichore) (01:02)
30. Peter Whelan – No. 18, Chorus. True Loyalty’s All Shining (01:05)
31. Aisling Kenny – No. 19, Recitativo. These Tides of Joy O’erflowing (Euterpe) (00:15)
32. Aisling Kenny – No. 20, Aria. Laurels That Adorn Her (Euterpe) (02:34)
33. Maria Keohane – No. 21, Recitativo. How Many Ways She Conquers (Polymnia) (00:19)
34. Maria Keohane – No. 22, Aria. Brightest Star (Polymnia) (03:36)
35. Aisling Kenny – No. 23, Recitativo. Oh! Could She Ever Stay! (Urania) (00:22)
36. Aisling Kenny – No. 24, Aria. Britain Fear to Lose Her Glory (Urania) (01:44)
37. Anthony Gregory – No. 25, Recitativo. By Reason Anna Steereth (The Nine Muses & Apollo) (00:42)
38. Maria Keohane – No. 26, Aria à 2 & Chorus. While the Wheels of Time Are Moving (Calliope & Apollo) (03:33)
39. Aisling Kenny – Sín síos agus suas liom (01:21)