Classical Music

Classical Music

When one thinks about Beethoven's choral compositions, one might think there is only one: the Ode to Joy from the 9th Symphony. But that is not the case! As the Deutscher Jugendkammerchor has impressively proved with this recording, preoccupying oneself with Beethoven's �uvre is more than worthwhile for any choir. Beethoven himself wrote a series of a cappella choral works, most of which are unknown today. Moreover, during his lifetime, composers had already arranged Beethoven's instrumental works for choir in order to express their veneration. The Deutscher Jugendkammerchor presents a selection of compositions from three centuries, including numerous first recordings. From Auld Lang Syne, penned by Beethoven, to a Kyrie by his contemporary Bierey after the first movement of the famous Moonlight Sonata, to modern song transcriptions by Clytus Gottwald - this album brings together secular and sacred choral movements that vary greatly both in expression and style. A discovery!

Classical Music

Louis Spohr’s only mass is one of the most important works of post-classical church music. In this unaccompanied mass, Spohr combines in a harmonious way the contemporary interest in Baroque compositional techniques and his own search for an individual, modern compositional style. The Kammerchor Stuttgart under its conductor Frieder Bernius succeeds in bringing to life the numerous facets of the work in a particularly impressive way. As well as the mass, this release also includes the Three Psalms op. 85. These two works by Spohr have been interleaved for the first time in a recording: the three Psalms have been inserted in the relevant places, representing the positions of the Introit, Gradual and Offertory, resulting in a truly impressive experience for listeners.

Classical Music

Classical Music

Classical Music

This release is the first joint project of the internationally renowned Leipzig vocal ensembles amarcord and Calmus. The centerpiece is the splendid sonority of the twelve-part Mass by Antoine Brumel, which is said to have been performed on the occasion of the famous disputation between Martin Luther and theologian Johannes Eck 1519 in St. Thomas's Church. It was a highlight of musical life in Leipzig and, at the same time, a milestone in polyphonic vocal music. The mass is complemented by compositions by Josquin des Pr�z, Johann Walter, Thomas Stoltzer and others. Amarcord is a German male vocal ensemble based in Leipzig. Founded in 1992, the group primarily performs Medieval music, Renaissance music, and works by contemporary composers. Calmus is made up of five Leipzig musicians who are known for their perfect blend of sound, precision, lightness and wit. The reach of the group's activities is constantly expanding, taking them throughout Europe as well as to North and South America.

On this recording there is Early Baroque Advent and Christmas Music of Eccard Praetorius, Schein, Hammerschmidt, Rosenmuller et al. The Baroque orchestra Les Favorites plays on early baroque instruments.

On the occasion of the 400th birthday of Johann Rosenmüller, the soloist ensemble Gli Scarlattisti under the direction of Jochen Arnold presents a selection from the collection of the so-called "Kernsprüche". These Sacred Concertos, most of which are unknown today, are characterized by a particularly charming versatility in the interplay of the various vocal and instrumental parts. At their time, they were considered to be similarly stylistically influential as the Kleine Geistliche Konzerte by Schütz. The musicians deserve praise for snatching this collection from oblivion with numerous first recordings.

REVIEW:

In its exciting discography, the Ensemble Gli Scarlattisti – selected vocalists in a homogeneous chamber choir – has already dedicated itself exclusively to the œuvre of Johann Rosenmüller. Now conductor Jochen Arnold presents another CD with works by this composer, Kernsprüche – polyphonic German Bible verse settings with instrumental accompaniment. Together with the Capella Principale, the music is played in a highly elegant manner. The selection of works in various solo and tutti formations documents Rosenmüller's multi-faceted art of composition in an exemplary manner, with all voices responding to the strong text orientation of the music. Eight of the 15 pieces are first recordings. The context of the works composed at the end of the Thirty Years' War vividly documents Rosenmüller's idea of a « world with musical proportions », which also corresponds to the balanced audibility. Rosenmüller was the link between Germany and Italy, Schütz and Bach, early and late baroque. You can read about this in the informative booklet as well as about the fact that the composer, who later made his career in Venice, was accused of the sexual abuse of choirboys when he was an assistant teacher at the Thomasschule in Leipzig in 1655. The essay, written by the conductor Jochen Arnold, explains the theological conception of this recording in a plausible way, in which the performance of the interpreters is reflected with perfect intonation, diction, vitality and accentuation.

— Pizzicato

Classical Music

No sales sheet or marketing points.

The program provides an equally prayerful as joyous Christmas spirit. The performance of the ensemble under Professor Wolfgang Helbich was honored with numerous awards over the years. Many concerts at major festivals at home and abroad, and numerous CD and radio productions have made the Alsfelder Vokalensemble's beautiful sound known across the borders of Germany.

On the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the death of Johannes Eccard (1553–1611) Carus presents a CD of featuring his secular and sacred vocal works. The Staats- und Domchor Berlin and the Lautten Compagney Berlin, under the direction of Kai-Uwe-Jirka, present those works of Eccard that are stylistically comparable to works of Orlando di Lasso in arrangements which are sometimes surprising and always colorful. Many of the lieder on this CD are recorded here for the first time.