Simon Mayr: L'armonia, Etc / Hauk, Or, Piriu, Et Al

$13.99
Label
Naxos
Release Date
December 12, 2006
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      MAYR
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Simon Mayr Choir
    • PERFORMER
      Hauk, Ingolstadt Co
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      December 12, 2006
    • UPC
      747313295821
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      8557958
    • LABEL
      Naxos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      1
    • GENRE
      Choral - Secular
    Works ⌄

    1. Scene I: Chorus: Bell'Armonia risvegliati (Fair Harmony awake)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    2. Scene I: Recitative: Ah si: rimira, avventurata gente (Ah yes, see, fortunate people) (Bass)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Nikolay Borchev

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    3. Scene I: Aria: Qual diletto inonda il petto (What delight fills our hearts) (Bass)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Nikolay Borchev

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    4. Scene I: Aria: La Patria gia sente il Nume presente (Our country feels the presence of God) (Bass, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Nikolay Borchev

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    5. Scene I: Chorus: Qual'indegno! il seren di nostra pace (What an outrage! Does someone dare disturb our serenity?)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    6. Scene II: Recitative: Popoli, amici!... (People, friends!...) (Bass, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Nikolay Borchev

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    7. Scene II: Aria: A combatter ci chiama la tromba: de' timballi gia il suono rimbomba (The trumpet calls us to battle) (Tenor, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Altin Piriu

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    8. Scene III: Chorus: Vittoria, Vittoria (Victory, Victory)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    9. Scene III: Recitative: Ah si l'arpa si rechi: sulle dita scorre (Ah yes, take up your harp: the song of victory) (Soprano)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Talia Or

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    10. Scene III: Trio with Chorus: Rodolfo onor de' Cesari, invitto Eroe, dov'e? (Where is Rudolf, honour of emperors, undefeated hero?) (Soprano, Bass, Chorus, Tenor)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Nikolay Borchev, Talia Or, Altin Piriu

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    11. Scene III: Recitative: Qual solenne concento l'orecchio ne percuote? (What solemn harmony strikes our ears?) (Tenor, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Altin Piriu

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    12. Scene III: Chorus: Scendi de' cantici, alma custode! (Descend from our songs guardian angel!)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    13. Scene III: Recitative: Ecco il tempio: ecco l'ara (Here is the temple, here the altar) (Soprano, Tenor)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Talia Or, Altin Piriu

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    14. Scene III: Trio with Chorus: Tu, che del fulmine movi il potere (You who have power over the thunderbolt) (Soprano, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Talia Or

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    15. Scene III: Recitative: Ma, qual portento e questo? (What omen is this?) (Soprano, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Talia Or

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    16. Scene III: Trio with Chorus: Chi del cielo la voce comprende (He who understands the voice of heaven) (Soprano, Bass, Chorus)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Nikolay Borchev, Talia Or

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    17. Scene III: Finale: Trio with Chorus: Di bel contento l'etra risuoni (Let heaven resound with sweet contentment)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Nikolay Borchev, Talia Or, Altin Piriu

      Conductor: Franz Hauk

    18. Cantata sopra la morte di Beethoven (Cantata for the Death of Beethoven)

      Composer: Johann Simon Mayr

      Ensemble: Simon Mayr Chorus, Georgische Kammerorchester Ingolstadt

      Performer: Nikolay Borchev, Talia Or, Altin Piriu

      Conductor: Franz Hauk


German-born Simon Mayr received his musical training in Italy (he's also properly known by his Italian name Giovanni Simone Mayr), and that's where he spent his career writing both operas and sacred vocal music at the cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore in Bergamo. One thing's clear about this composer/teacher/choir master: he knew his Mozart, Haydn, and Beethoven, and if you like their sacred and theatrical music, you'll enjoy this program featuring two delightful cantatas. L'Armonia, an extended (45-minute) near-opera with three scenes, characters, choruses, virtuoso arias, and well-developed recitatives, was presented on the occasion of a state visit to Bergamo in 1825 by the Emperor Franz I and his entourage. It contains all the conventions of the day to satisfy and impress an imperial audience--the references to classical poets and mythology, symbolic associations to the emperor's benevolence and wisdom (not to mention a surprise tribute to the Empress), grand choruses and florid arias glorifying the defense of the nation's and its people's ideals in battle, and textual quotations espousing the goals of harmony and peace.

But rather than being tedious and predictable, Mayr treats us to some very appealing, expertly crafted music that handily combines some dramatic and very demanding Mozartian opera-style arias--beautifully sung by all three soloists--with choruses right out of the church works of Mozart and Haydn. The pacing is swift and conductor Franz Hauk keeps his forces tightly together most of the time--some ragged instrumental ensemble and choral intonation slips are only occasionally noticeable. Mayr also cleverly uses a harp at opportune moments to add color and for symbolic reference to the Bards, which are among the cantata's "characters".

And speaking of references, if you know Beethoven, you'll have fun picking out Mayr's nifty insertions of excerpts from some of the master's works in the Cantata for the Death of Beethoven. This 15-minute piece was basically cobbled together from original material and from existing works, and again, it's a very satisfying listen marked by strong vocal writing for the soloists and stylish orchestration. Once more I do have to mention the solo singers--soprano Talia Or, tenor Altin Piriù, and bass Nikolay Borchev--all first class and very solid in some very challenging music. They have a lot to do here, and they really carry the show. A pleasant surprise!

--David Vernier, ClassicsToday.com