|
Site review by Polly Nomial July 7, 2007
|
Performance: Sonics: |
This is a largely enjoyable disc that, like Coronation of King George II - King's Consort/Robert King, aims to recreate the music sung at the coronation of a ruler. In this case it is Kaiser Leopold I in 1658. Unlike the Hyperion offering, there is a less extravagant presentation (one disc instead of two, no processions [in surround sound], no chants of the service text, no celebratory bell ringing - although not all of these may have been features of this epoch and country; I don't know) but musically it is every bit as successful and enjoyable.
Throughout there are interspersions of Gregorian chant and two performances of Schmelzer's "Corrente per l'intrada di S.M.C." all of which are well sung and played respectively. Also included are Schmelzer's Sonata I, Sonata VIII; Bertali's Introitus de Pentecoste "Spiritus Domini replevit orbem terrarum", Missa "Sancti Spiritus" itself 'interrupted' by other pieces, "Veni Sancte Spiritus", "Venite gentes, accurite populi"; Ebner's Toccato tertii toni and Caldara's "Te Deum laudamus per l'incoronazione".
The Johann Rosenmüller Ensemble perform with great precision and care, even if they do not quite bring the missionary zeal of a McCreesh under their director Arno Paduch. The notes concentrate on the historical background to the occasion rather the actual music itself and have one curiosity: why use pictures from two different coronations and none of Leopold's itself? Presumably these have been lost in the great mists of time.
The sonic presentation is good, clear and straightforward - there are no spaced groups dotted around an aural picture in MCH (a shame really as it could have really livened up the proceedings).
A very promising début from Christophorus and I hope to hear from them again before too long.
|
Copyright © 2007 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
|
|
