Campra - Requiem (Messe des Morts) - Gardiner, Monteverdi Choir

Release Date: August 20, 2007 Label: Erato Number of discs: 1 Composer: Andre Campra Performer: John Eliot Gardiner cd info/ buy

Review:

The recording and performance does this exquisite Requiem perfect justice.The sensitive baton of the esteemed John Eliot Gardiner conjures heavenly playing from the English Baroque Soloists, and there is some superb work done by both choir and soloists.I honestly can't recommend this CD too highly to you. It's qualities are as crystal clear to me as it's possible to seem. Not only does it have the most entrancing and beguiling "Introit" this side of Faure (forgive the missing accent -- I'll fathom this keyboard some day !),but amongst a plethora of other beauties it boasts an "Agnus Dei" of such sweet and sublime grace that's rarely to be encountered in the entire repertoire. The setting itself bears most similarity to it's illustrious descendant by Campra's fellow countryman Gabriel Faure. It boasts the same melting, blissful, beguiling harmonies and textures.

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Bach JS - Mass in B minor - Hickox, Collegium Musicum 90

 

Release Date: 07/26/1994 Label: Chandos Number of discs: 2 Composer: JS Bach  Performer: Richard Hickox, Collegium Musicum 90  cd info/ buy

Review:

Hickox's work is almost always a model of good conducting, musicianship, and balanced interpretation--his recording of the Mass in B minor is no exception. The whole ensemble, voices and orchestra, render the piece with verve and liveliness. Hickox's tempi are usually swift, but not at the expense of the music's often complicated melodic lines (such as those fiendishly difficult melismas in the "Osanna"). The orchestra's playing in particular is breathtaking in moments, such as the horn player's stentorian "Quoniam" and the joyous exclamation at the beginning of the "Gloria." The vocal and orchestral forces are mid-sized, giving the music power where needed, but also that degree of intimacy many of the arias and more pathos-imbued movements demand (the "Et incarnatus est," for example). All four soloists rise to the occasion; the soprano (Nancy Argenta) sings the "Laudamus Te" with an audibly different accent--not a detriment, but a curiosity. Sound quality is wonderful: par for Hickox. This is a good all-around performance for people looking for the balance between traditional and modern Bach interpretations.

 

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Bach - Magnificat BWV 243; Handel - Dixit Dominus HWV 232 - Emmanuelle Haim

 

Release Date: November 20, 2007 Label: Virgin Classics Number of discs: 1 Composer: Handel, Bach JS Performer: Emmanuelle Haim,      Le Concert d'Astree cd info/ buy

Review:

Emmanuelle Haim never lets up in intensity. Her tempi on some of the Bach movements and on the concluding Gloria Patri of Handel are faster than I've ever heard anyone attempt. Especially on the Magnificat, she is clearly demanding the absolute maximum of her choristers, and to my ears they rise to the challenge. Likewise the soloists, especially the two sopranos and the male alto Philippe Jaroussky, match the demands of both composers and their ardent conductor. As a bassoonist, I'd like to  call attention to the eloquent Baroque bassoon playing of Philippe Miqueu. I'm envious; I wish I'd been there. Good performances of Bach's Magnificat are not uncommon, but this is the first thoroughly satisfactory disk of Handel's Dixit Dominus I've encountered. Special alert to dieters: The charge this performance will put into you is worth at least 1200 calories on the exercycle. Listen and exult!

 

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