J.S.Bach, Matthäus-Passion BWV 244

3 CD - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR 244 Mb

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The St. Matthew Passion, Bach's monumental retelling of the story of the Last Supper and the arrest and execution of Jesus, typically runs from two-and-a-half to three hours. Yet this performance makes the time... well, not exactly fly past (consider the subject matter), but it's not tedious for even a second. Much of the credit for this goes to the marvelous Evangelist, Ian Bostridge. He's an outstanding narrator: the clear tone and diction, skillful timing, and intense involvement with words that made him a famous lieder singer are all in evidence; his part consists of nothing but recitative, yet he holds your interest unfailingly. Franz-Josef Selig gives a more dramatic reading of Jesus than you usually hear these days--he may be a bit too "operatic" for some listeners, but he really communicates his character's very human anguish and sorrow. Similarly, soprano Sibylla Rubens, tenor Werner Güra, and bass Dietrich Henschel sometimes unleash a bit too much vibrato for some tastes, but their singing is full-throated and attractive and they're very sensitive to the nuances in the text and music. Superstar countertenor Andreas Scholl is the standout--he combines unearthly purity with very earthly feeling and blends beautifully with the baroque instruments. The real stars of the record, however, are Philippe Herreweghe and his remarkable choir and orchestra. This conductor and his musicians (especially his radiant choir, Collegium Vocale) have always been superb at conveying warmth, devotion, and contemplation, but intense joy, anguish, or anger have sometimes seemed beyond them. Not here: they cover the full emotional range of this work--from reverent reflection to anguished remorse to churning fury--without ever crossing the line into melodrama or sacrificing clarity.

Tenor [Evangelist]: Ian Bostridge
Bass [Jesus]: Franz-Josef Selig
Soprano [arias, Pilatus' wife]: Sibylla Rubens
Alto: Andreas Scholl
Tenor: Werner Güra
Bass: Dietrich Henschel
Bass [Pilatus]: Dietrich Henschel
Baritone [Judas & Priest 1]: Frits Vanhulle
Bass [Petrus & Priest 2]: Dominik Wörner
Alto [Witness]: Andreas Scholl
Tenor [Witness]: Werner Güra
Sopranos [Maids]: Elisabeth Hermans & Susan Hamilton

Chœr et Orchestre de Collegium Vocale Gent
Schola Cantorum Cantate Domino (Director: Michäel Ghljs)
dir. Philippe Herreweghe

Battaglie & Lamenti

12 tracks - MP3 192 Kbps - RAR 130 Mb

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Jordi Savall is hugely respected both as an instrumentalist and as a music director across early music. Throughout his career he has made outstanding period instrument recordings, exploring the roots of European Musical tradition, and his masterly playing of the viola da gamba gave immense depth to the success of the film ‘Tous les matins du monde’.
In the 17th Century, battles were celebrated with musical compositions which inspired soldiers with the glory of the past. But battles breed as much grief as grandeur. “Bataglie e Lamenti” is a musical journey which takes listeners through exhilarating and sombre landscapes, masterfully depicted by Savall, Figueras and Hespèrion XX.

Les pièces chantées contenues dans ce nouvel album Alia Vox furent enregistrées pour Archiv Production en 1981 mais ne furent pour ainsi dire jamais disponibles : c'était la fin du vinyl. Le Lamento d'Ariana est l'un des plus beaux enregistrements de Montserrat Figueras : il s'agit du fameux enregistrement de 1989, paru précédemment chez Auvidis. Les pièces instrumentales, quant à elles, ont été captées au cours des derniers mois.

contents:

Samuel Scheidt (1587-1654) : Pavan - Galliard Battaglia
Claudio Monteverdi (1567-1643) : Lamento d'Arianna
Giovanni Gabrieli (v.1554-1612) : Canzon III a 6
Bastiano Chilese (actif 1608) : Canzon in Echo a 8
Jacopo Peri (1561-1633) : Lamento di Iole
Luigi Rossi (v.1598-1653) : Fantasia "Les pleurs d'Orphée"
Nicolò Fontei (v.1600-ca.1647) : Pianto d'Erinna
Anonyme : Sarabande Italienne
Giuseppe Guami (1542-1611/12) : Canzon sopra la Battaglia a 4
Barbara Strozzi (1619-1664) : Il Lamento "Su'l Rodano severo"
Andrea Falconiero (v.1585-1656) : Battaglia de Barabasso yerno de Satanas

Montserrat Figueras, soprano

Hesperion XXI
dir. Jordi Savall