MOZART CORONATION MASS

Barbara Bonney is the star of this disc. Her "Exsultate Jubilate" is the most beautiful, unprententious version I've heard. What I've always admired about her is her pure tone, and this recording is no exception. Even though she sings gloriously, she doesn't show off at the expense of Mozart's music. The English Concert's playing is intelligent and stylish as we've come to expect from them. Also, if you're unfamiliar with the Solemn Vespers of the Confessor, this piece is a real treat for choral music lovers. It is done very well here too. ~ J. Buxton "cantabile"

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COLIN DAVIS' MOZART CHORAL MASTERPIECE

The original vinyl issue of this album was part of a series of the major Mozart choral works conducted by Colin Davis. Included were Requiem, Great Mass in c, Coronation Mass, Credo Mass and this album. Today all of the items have been reissued on CD, but alas, not as part of a combined CD set. This is about the best performance of the Vespers on recording. Davis, orchestra, chorus and soloists are all on a wonderfully coordinated plane, and I prefer this to those perhaps more historically correct 'period' performances. It would be great if Phillips could rerelease all of the Davis' Mozart choral works on a CD set. (Review by Operaman "dsoda") See more.

MOZART : EXSULTATE, JUBILATE, O VOS ANIMAE BEATAE K.165

In 1773 Mozart was staying in Milan to play his opera titled "Lucio Silla" in which used a male soprano singer (of the type called castrato, frequently used in operas and oratorios during the baroque period.) Thia piece is a motet for the male soprano.

A motet is a vocal form with lyrics which originated and developed in Medieval Europe, as both secular and clerical music.

Although Mozart uses religious verses in Latin for this motet, the whole inpression is that of operatic glamour, and its 3 - movement composition in quick-slow-quick tempo reminds us of a vocal baroque concert.

TORELLI : TRUMPET CONCERTOS

This bargain priced double CD is of 22 lively, joyfull trumpet concertos by the baroque composer Giuseppe Torelli played on modern instruments. There concerti are well worth a listen, but not on this recording. The soloist completely dominates the performance, Hammes is clearly a skilled trumpeter but is too loud to the point of pain, the listener feels pinned to the the wall. Not recommended. If you are interested in hearing how a baroque trumpet concerto should sound let me refer you to Naxos " The Art of the Baroque Trumpet, Vol 5, an Italian Concert". It is an excellent CD. (Reviewed by Ross Kennett) See more.

GIUSEPPE TORELLI : ENJOYABLE CONCERTOS

Giuseppe Torelli was born in Verona in 1658, the same year as Pachelbel, 5 years after Corelli, and 11 before Albinoni. He moved to Bologna, an important centre of music at the time, in the early 1680s. His opus 8, some of which we hear on this CD, was published in 1709, just after his death. Opus 8 was a set of 12 violin concertos, 6 for one violin and 6 for 2 violins; here we hear 3 for one violin, and 4 for 2 violins. They are in a similar style to Albinoni's later works, they are for orchestra with violin, rather than for virtuoso soloist with accompaning orchestra, the soloist(s) emerge from the strings. This is not to infer that they are simple works, they require highly skilled performers. Simon Standage and Catherine Weiss play superbly, well assisted by Collegium Musicum 90, on period instruments. The forces used are typical, 8 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, 2 bass violins ( larger than a cello but with the same pitch), chamber organ and theorbo. These are increased for the highlight of the disc, 3 trumpet concertos, by adding 2 violins, 4 violas, 2 double bass and 1 or 2 trumpets. These trumpet concertos are beautifully played, again they are for orchestra with trumpet(s), the balance between orchestra and soloist(s) is just right. This is an excellent recording, Torelli wrote many works for trumpet, I hope to hear more of the from Collegiim Musicum 90. (Reviewed by Ross Kennett) See more.

CONCERTO FOR TRUMPET AND ORCHESTRA IN D MAJOR : GIUSEPPE TARTINI (1692-1770)

Giuseppe Tartini who is known for his violin sonata titled "Devil's Trill" is one of the outstanding composers of the Italian baroque music of the 18th century. He was also active as a performer, music theorist and educator.

As a typical example of a baroque-style concerto, the piece consists of three movements in quick-slow-quick tempo.

1st movement : Leggielo, moderato; with the introduction of the orchestra, then the brilliant theme for trumpet.

2nd movement : Andante; begins abruptly with the trumpet playing the theme, following by the orchestra.

3rd movement : Leggielo; gracefully, short improvisation is inserted by a solo trumpet.

THE BEST OF VIENNA BOYS' CHOIR

What can really be said about this two CD set except "Wow." The tone quality and emotion contained in the music is incredible, and I don't think there's another boys' choir out there who can match it. The rendition of Schubert's "Ave Maria" alone is worth buying the CD. Amazing. Between the two CD's there is a great variety of music as well, ranging from the soft, sad "Locus Iste," to Johann Strauss' polkas. There is a piece for every mood. These CDs are more than worth the money and rank among the favorites in my collection. (Comment by Ammy Hronek) See more