Mayr: David In The Cave Of Engedi / Hauk, Ostermann

$20.99
Label
Naxos
Release Date
April 29, 2008
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      MAYR, SIMON
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Simon Mayr Chorus
    • PERFORMER
      Horak, Ichihara, Duffe, Hauk
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      April 29, 2008
    • UPC
      747313036677
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      8570366-67
    • LABEL
      Naxos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Choral - Sacred
    Works ⌄

    1. Part I: Sinfonia I

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    2. Part I: Recitative: Ah non ultra mi Rex (Saul, Abner, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Claudia Schneider

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    3. Part I: Voces festivae sonent (Abner, Jonathas, Michol, Saul, David, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Claudia Schneider, Sibylla Duffe, Ai Ichihara

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    4. Part I: Recitative: Quidnam Saul restat (Saul, Abner)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Claudia Schneider

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    5. Part I: Recitative: Regi imperare (Abner, Saul)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Claudia Schneider, Cornelia Horak

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    6. Part I: Aria: Adversi fremunt venti (Abner)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Claudia Schneider

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    7. Part I: Recitative: Simuletur, ne vana (Saul, Michol, Jonathas)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Ai Ichihara, Sibylla Duffe

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    8. Part I: Aria: En Pastor humilis (David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    9. Part I: Recitative: Regis veni ad amplexus (Saul, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann, Cornelia Horak

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    10. Part I: Recitative: Siste: corona (Saul, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    11. Part I: Aria: Vade superbe o fortis (Saul)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    12. Part I: Recitative: Quid loquutus est Rex? (David, Jonathas, Michol)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann, Sibylla Duffe, Ai Ichihara

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    13. Part I: Recitative: Divisio amara (David, Michol)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann, Ai Ichihara

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    14. Part I: Duet: Sponse mi … (Michol, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara, Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    15. Part I: Recitative: Ah Jonathas (David, Jonathas)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann, Sibylla Duffe

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    16. Part I: Recitative: Esto securus (Jonathas, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Sibylla Duffe, Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    17. Part I: Aria: Ah cor meum (Jonathas)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Sibylla Duffe

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    18. Part I: Recitative: Quales lacerant (Saul, David, Michol)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Merit Ostermann, Ai Ichihara

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    19. Part I: Recitative: Quod fulmen super me! (David, Michol, Saul)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann, Ai Ichihara, Cornelia Horak

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    20. Part I: Aria: Tu spernis precantem (David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    21. Part I: Recitative: Saul somniaris (Saul, Jonathas, Michol, Abner, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Sibylla Duffe, Ai Ichihara, Claudia Schneider

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    22. Part I: Ah genitor amate … (Michol, Jonathas, Saul, Abner, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara, Sibylla Duffe, Cornelia Horak, Claudia Schneider

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    23. Part I: Umbra funesta (Saul, Jonathas, Michol, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Sibylla Duffe, Ai Ichihara, Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    24. Part I: Vos furiae lacerate (Saul, Jonathas, Michol, Abner, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Sibylla Duffe, Ai Ichihara, Claudia Schneider

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    25. Part II: Sinfonia II

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    26. Part II: Recitative: Abite, vos non audio (Saul, Michol, Abner)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Ai Ichihara, Claudia Schneider

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    27. Part II: Recitative: Numen, coeleste numen (Michol)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    28. Part II: Aria: Sponsum dona pater chare (Michol)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    29. Part II: Recitative: Illudam filiam (Saul, Abner, Michol)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Claudia Schneider, Ai Ichihara

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    30. Part II: Recitative: Filia dilecta (Saul, Michol, Abner)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Ai Ichihara, Claudia Schneider

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    31. Part II: Aria: Patri amanti amplexus dona (Saul)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    32. Part II: Recitative: O felix ego! (Michol, Phalti)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara, Sibylla Duffe

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    33. Part II: Aria: Gaudete o sponsi amantes (Phalti)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Sibylla Duffe

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    34. Part II: Recitative: Respiro tandem (Michol, Jonathas, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara, Sibylla Duffe, Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    35. Part II: Ah sponsa … curre (Michol, Jonathas, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara, Sibylla Duffe, Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    36. Part II: Recitative: Eum solum linquis frater! (Michol, Jonathas)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara, Sibylla Duffe

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    37. Part II: Aria: Ah quonam vado (David, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    38. Part II: Recitative: Quod incertos verto gressus! (Saul, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    39. Part II: Aria: O rex amabilis (David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    40. Part II: Aria: Ah quid restas (David, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    41. Part II: Recitative: Sed quid tardo (David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    42. Part II: Arioso: Quid audio! (Saul)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    43. Part II: Sed quidnam cerno (Saul, David)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Cornelia Horak, Merit Ostermann

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    44. Part II: Duet: Ah quaeso serenum (David, Saul)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Merit Ostermann, Cornelia Horak

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    45. Part II: Recitative: Pater! - David (Michol, Jonathas, Saul)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Performer: Ai Ichihara, Sibylla Duffe, Cornelia Horak

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    46. Part II: Finale: O plena jubilo amica dies (Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Simon Mayr Ensemble

      Conductor: Franz Hauk




S. MAYR David in the Cave of Engedi • Franz Hauk (hpd, cond); Merit Ostermann ( David ); Cornelia Horak ( Saul ); Ai Ichihara ( Michal ); Sibylla Duffe ( Jonathan ); Claudia Schneider ( Abner ); Simon Mayr Chorus & Ens • NAXOS 8.570366 (2 CDs: 94:13)


The Bavarian-born Johannes Simon Mayr (1763–1845) is probably most often remembered as the teacher and mentor of Donizetti. Until recently, his own works—more than 60 operas, some 600 liturgical compositions, as well as chamber music and symphonies—have been the realm of specialists. At 24 he abandoned studies in philosophy and law at the University of Ingolstadt to pursue a musical career in Italy. He studied first in Bergamo, then with Bertoni in Venice, where he began writing operas. The second he composed for La Fenice in 1796 was so successful that Mayr became much sought after in the world of Italian opera. The next year, his operas were produced in Vienna, and performances in other European capitals and in the U.S. followed. Despite lucrative offers from Paris, St. Petersburg, Lisbon, Dresden, and London, Mayr preferred to remain in Italy. He settled in Bergamo, establishing a music school, spearheading philanthropies to benefit musicians, and becoming an important champion of the Viennese style south of the Alps.


Mayr wrote his fascinating oratorio David in spelunca Engaddi (“David in the Cave of Engedi”) during his first creative blossoming. It was destined for one of the four Venetian ospedali , those institutions for orphaned or indigent girls where, earlier in the century, Vivaldi had been employed. Characteristically for a work commissioned by the Ospedale dei Mendicanti, its five solo roles, as well as the chorus, are all treble voices. The libretto by Foppa is based on scenes from Samuel I. King Saul is jealous of David, hero of Israel’s wars against the Philistines and tries to kill him. Saul’s son Jonathan and daughter Michal help David, who is able to stay one step ahead of Saul’s operatives. In the wilderness of Engedi, David comes upon Saul asleep in a cave. Though David has ample cause to kill Saul, he spares the king’s life. David’s display of loyalty reconciles Saul with his anointed successor as King of Israel. Though it’s difficult to say what is most striking about this masterful work, certainly character delineation in each principal role is unusually acute. Through the course of the oratorio, their characters develop with a psychological complexity rare in the genre, particularly in the late 18th century. The vocal writing is superb, florid, idiomatic, and deftly evokes the affects of the text.


Despite its economy of means, the choral writing, mostly in two parts, is extremely effective. And in a proto-Wagnerian sense, the orchestra almost becomes a character, its traditional role of accompaniment significantly expanded. Mayr is a deft and resourceful orchestrator. The brief Sinfonia that prefaces the first part of the oratorio is a little gem, worthy of the young Mozart. The Sinfonia that introduces part II, on the other hand, lasts more than five minutes, a virtual one-movement concerto grosso in Classical garb. Bassoons, oboes, horns and, above all, the harp (David’s instrument) interact with the orchestra in brilliant concertante style. Franz Hauk assembled an uncommonly strong group of soloists, each of whom meets Mayr’s vocal and dramatic demands with artistry and sophistication. Chorus and orchestra respond with ensemble cohesion to Hauk’s imaginative direction. The slow sound decay in the Assam Church of Maria de Victoria in Ingolstadt contributes to the near perfect acoustic ambiance with little blurring of detail. Informative notes are contributed by Iris Winkler, though listeners wishing to follow the text must download a 28-page libretto from the Naxos Web site.


Mayr has long been acknowledged as a key transitional figure between 18th- and 19th-century opera, and a potent influence on Rossini as well as Donizetti. But lately, signs of a fully-fledged revival keep cropping up. Opera Rara, the English company, has three complete Mayr operas in its catalog: Ginevra di Scozia (OR 23) and two productions of Medea in Corinto (OR 11 and OR 215). Cantatas (including one on the death of Beethoven) may be heard on Naxos 8.557958 and the oratorio La passione along with a Stabat mater setting are available on Guild 7251. In the instrumental realm, two of Mayr’s piano concertos may be sampled on Tactus 761301. The strong, nuanced performances that breathe life into David in spelunca Engaddi provide a strong argument for further exploration of Mayr’s imaginative and powerful music. They also suggest that a Mayr revival would be welcome and, perhaps, long overdue.


FANFARE: Patrick Rucker