Search MusicWeb Here Custom Search     International mailing Up to 40% off

Searching Musicweb Monthly index Recordings of the Year Label index Masterwork index Series index Search engines Review Archive Classical Downloads Jazz Concerts Nostalgia Books Film music Resources Composer pages National discographies Online books Piano Trio Survey Gerard Hoffnung Arthur Butterworth's columns Philip Scowcroft's British light music collection Interviews Programme notes Other material Articles Seen & Heard Jazz reviews Message Board Announcements About Musicweb About Musicweb Contact Musicweb Contributors What they say about us Visitor stats Site Map

Founder: Len Mullenger

Buy through MusicWeb for £13.99/15.00 postage paid World-wide. Immediate delivery You may prefer to pay by Sterling cheque to avoid PayPal. Contactfor details Purchase button

Claudio MONTEVERDI (1567-1643) The Sacred Music: Vol. 4 Laetatus sum I [6:37] Salve Regina [4:20] Domine, ne in furore tuo [2:45] Salve Regina I [8:39] Dixit Dominus II [5:26] Sanctorum meritis II [3:20] Adoramus te, Christe [4:35] Beatus vir [8:19] Exulta, filia Sion [5:07] Magnificat II [9:26] Salve, o Regina, o Mater [5:00] Laudate Dominum omnes gentes III [4:27] Carolyn Sampson (sop); Rebecca Outram (sop); Cecilia Osmond (sop); Daniel Auchincloss (high tenor); Rogers Covey-Crump (high tenor); Charles Daniels (tenor); James Gilchrist (tenor); Peter Harvey (bass); Robert Evans (bass) Choir of the King’s Consort The King’s Consort/Robert King rec. St Jude-on the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, 12-18 Feb 2004. DDD HYPERION CDA67519 [69:24]

Monteverdi was a composer equally at home in the worlds of opera, secular madrigals and sacred music – in which category he is particularly famed for his Vespers. This is the fourth volume of Hyperion’s highly acclaimed series of Monteverdi’s sacred works with Robert King and the King’s Consort. The pieces (mostly motets) are drawn from both Monteverdi's own Selva Morale e Spirituale and anthologies compiled by other contemporary publishers. As with the previous three volumes, all the works included are absolute gems – brimming with exquisite craftsmanship and intense beauty of musical language. There is a good range in the forces employed – some works are for solo tenor only, others for soloists alone, choir, or all soloists and choir, providing an interesting variety. I was particularly taken with the vivacious and aptly jubilant setting of Laetatus sum – which includes some nice word-painting (listen out for "ascenderunt"!), and the gorgeous, lilting Beatus vir. The syncopation of Domine, ne in furore tuo is delightful, as is the curious combination of the Salve Regina text with that of Audi coelum in the beautiful Salve Regina for tenor duet, with its wonderful echo effects. The disc concludes with the glorious Laudate Dominum omnes gentes. The performance is, as would be expected of such a well-respected group as the King’s Consort, of a consistently high standard, with both excellent ensemble and solo singing. This is not surprising when one notes that the soloists include Rogers Covey-Crump, Charles Daniels and James Gilchrist. I was impressed by both the textural clarity and the beautifully poised flow of the interweaving voice lines. The internal balance is good, and the musicians respond to each other with a confidence that is a joy to hear. This disc comes highly recommended. Em Marshall       Advertising on Musicweb Donate and keep us afloat   New Releases Nimbus Podcast Obtain 10% discount Special offer 50% off Musicweb sells the following labels Acte Préalable (THE Polish label) Altus 10% off Atoll 10% off CRD 10% off Hallé 10% off Lyrita 10% off Nimbus 10% off Nimbus Alliance Prima voce 10% off Red Priest 10% off Retrospective 10% off Saydisc 10% off Sterling 10% off Follow us on Twitter Subscribe to our free weekly review listing sample Sample: See what you will get Editorial Board MusicWeb International Founding Editor    Rob Barnett Senior Editor John Quinn Seen & Heard Editor Emeritus    Bill Kenny Editor in Chief    Vacant MusicWeb Webmaster    David Barker MusicWeb Founder    Len Mullenger

Return to Index

Reviews from previous months Join the mailing list and receive a hyperlinked weekly update on the discs reviewed. details We welcome feedback on our reviews. Please use the Bulletin Board Please paste in the first line of your comments the URL of the review to which you refer.