Thomas Arne
- Margaret Ritchie, William Herbert, Ruggero Gerlin, Anthony Lewis, Elsie Morison, L'Ensemble de L'Oiseau-Lyre
- English Chamber Orchestra, Fifes and Drums Band, Ian Humphries, English Chamber Choir, Christopher Knowles, The English Folk Band, John Gregory Knowles, Timothy Murton Laight, Mike Taylor, Helen Tunstall, Guy Protheroe, Augusta Lees, Sally Heath
Biography
Thomas Arne (1710-1778) was an English composer of the Classical era who is best known for writing the patriotic song "Rule, Brittania!" and setting the official version of "God Save the King." Yet Arne produced successful works in many genres, including the masque Alfred; an oratorio, Judith; the operas Artaxerxes, Thomas and Sally, and Love in a Village; four symphonies; six keyboard concertos; eight harpsichord sonatas; as well as numerous other pieces, including cantatas and songs. Unfortunately, a fire in London's Drury Lane in 1809 destroyed much of his music, and Arne's surviving works were largely neglected for two centuries.