Sublime, extreme and all-embracing… only superlatives will do to describe Bach’s Mass in B minor, the Hohe Messe, performed by the Netherlands Bach Society for All of Bach. In between an awe-inspiring Kyrie and the jubilant final Dona nobis pacem, there are nine completely unique arias and duets, fourteen impressive ensemble sections for four, five, six and even eight voices, a broad spectrum of instrumental solos, and an incredible variety of styles.
Recorded for the project All of Bach on December 15th 2016 at the Grote Kerk, Naarden. If you want to help us complete All of Bach, please subscribe to our channel bit.ly/2vhCeFB or consider donating bit.ly/2uZuMj5.
All of Bach is a project of the Netherlands Bach Society / Nederlandse Bachvereniging, offering high-quality film recordings of the works by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by the Netherlands Bach Society and her guest musicians. Visit our free online treasury for more videos and background material allofbach.com/en/. For concert dates and further information go to www.bachvereniging.nl/nederlandse-bachvereniging.
Jos van Veldhoven, conductor
Hana Blažíková, soprano 1
Anna Reinhold, soprano 2
David Erler, alto
Thomas Hobbs, tenor
Peter Harvey, bass
Joseph Calleja, one of the world’s leading tenors, returns with his new album ‘Verdi’. Pre-order here: decca.lnk.to/VerdiID
The album sees Calleja explore the light and dark in Verdi’s heroic tenor roles and features guest appearances from soprano Angela Gheorghiu and baritone Vittorio Vitelli.
Verdi has a special place in Calleja’s heart, having made his debut as Macduff in Verdi’s Macbeth when he was just 19. It is his first new album in six years – his last solo album ‘Amore’ was released in September 2013 and he was also part of a 2013 recording of Verdi’s Simon Boccanegra. However, this new album marks a significant step into Verdi repertoire for Calleja, as he tackles new roles which has yet to play on stage.
Among the arias on the new album are ‘Di quella pira’ and ‘Ah! Si, ben mio…’ from Il Trovatore, ‘Già nella notte densa’ from Otello, and ‘Celeste Aida’ from the opening scene of Verdi’s Egyptian opera. Each of the roles on this album celebrate the tenore robusto as the voice-type of an operatic hero and showcase Calleja’s powerful yet lyrical voice.
About:
The fourteen selections comprising Sacred Treasures III feature music from the Russian liturgical canon recorded in sumptuously reverberant settings by leading Russian choruses. With a state-of-the-art mastering job to fully display the subtle harmonic interplay of the singers, this release offers pure balm for the ear and soul.
The music covers a wide burst of historically important pieces, from ancient Greek Orthodox chant through early 20th Century choral masterpieces of Rachmaninov, plus one modern fantasy setting of Bachs Apollonian masterpiece «Komm Susser Tod» («Come Sweet Death») by Scandinavian composer Gunnar Eriksson.
The collection opens with an anonymous 13th Century Russian «Alleluia,» set in the calmest tradition of the Orthodox service, followed by a «Sourp, Sourp» («Holy, Holy») from the Divine Liturgy. Both are sung by the ST. PETERSBURG CHAMBER CHOIR, directed by Nikolai Korniev. More familiar, perhaps, are the four sections of Rachmaninovs Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom from 1910, sung by the large Russian State Symphony capella. There are three additional sections from Rachmaninovs Vespers collection of 1915, sung by the USSR MINISTRY OF CULTURE CHAMBER CHOIR under Valery Polyanskys direction. Should you know of savage beasts in need of calming, the Kiev Chant «Peaceful Light» (track 10) from Rachmaninovs Vespers will turn away all monsters.
The recording also aims to represent the reverential dignity of the music. Following the traditions of the Orthodox Church, no instruments are sounded — not even bells. Everything about the music and the physical setting in which it is heard is designed to produce a feeling of heavenly peace. The music is never harsh, but rather blends into the richly decorated surroundings, lit primarily by candle light. All of these selections are designed to fit within the soft golden glow of ecclesiastical tranquillity.
Rachmaninovs seven pieces are spread among a variety of other unusual works ranging from the wordless «Chorale» by Josef Ketchakmadze to the little «Serenade» by Rachmaninovs composition teacher, Sergei Taneyev (1850-1915), sung by the LEGE ARTIS CHAMBER CHOIR under Boris Abalians direction in St. Catherines Lutheran Church, St. Petersburg. (Yes, they have Protestant and Catholic churches in Russia.)
Easily the most unusual and unexpected item in the collection is the setting of «The Lords Prayer» by of all people Rimsky-Korsakov. Known for his virtuoso orchestral music, few will expect so deeply devout and reverent a piece from this composer. Although his choral music is rarely performed or recorded, he published several collections of religious texts, as well as 39 superb choral settings of Russian folk tunes. This version of «Our Father» is drawn from Rimskys Opus 22 collection.
Only with the fall of the Iron Curtain ten years ago has much music of this warmly spiritual type made inroads into the Western world. That which has emerged has indeed proven to be a sacred treasury, individual in that it combines spiritual dignity with unabashed human emotion music reflecting aspiration and pure love. All are couched within pure syllabic settings, free of formal counterpoint. While this music offers a high level of artistry, at the same time it refuses to call attention to its internal workings. (When first you encounter Sacred Treasures III, listen to Track 10 and youll hear what I mean.)
— You can buy it here: heartsofspacerecords.bandcamp.com/album/sacred-treasures-iii-choral-masterworks-from-russia-and-beyond
Soprano Diana Damrau and tenor Joseph Calleja sing the Bach/Gounod «Ave Maria» in their October 24 performance as part of the Met Stars Live in Concert series. Available for on-demand viewing now.
