Hyperion Records | Vivaldi: Sacred Music, Vol. 06

Click album cover image to view the sleeve notes

CDA66809

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Recording details: July 2000
St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead Garden Suburb, London, United Kingdom
Produced by Ben Turner
Engineered by Philip Hobbs
Release date: November 2000
Total duration: 62 minutes 8 seconds
Available for download on iTunes: Yes

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PREMIO INTERNAZIONALE DEL DISCO ANTONIO VIVALDI, PER LA MUSICA VOCALE

‘Bravo to the King’s Consort, whose skilful performances are bringing this important repertoire to the attention of listeners as well as other performers’ (Schwann, USA)

‘Richly rewarding music, wonderfully performed. I’m eager to dive into Volumes 1 to 5’ (Opera News, USA)'Richly rewarding music, wonderfully performed' (Opera News)

'The performances fully live up to the remarkably high standards that informed the previous issues. A fine addition to one of the most rewarding series currently in progress' (Fanfare)

'Top marks again to King for his choice of soloists – in Stutzmann, above all, we have one of today’s best baroque voices' (Gramophone)

Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741)

Sacred Music, Vol. 06

King's Consort Choir, The King's Consort, Robert King (conductor)

		Beatus vir, RV795
1		Movement 01: Beatus vir [2:13]
2		Movement 02: Gloria et divitiae [1:48] Susan Gritton (soprano)
3		Movement 03: Beatus vir [0:15]
4		Movement 04: Exortum est in tenebris [3:36] Susan Gritton (soprano)
5		Movement 05: Beatus vir [0:16]
6		Movement 06: Jucundus homo [2:06] Susan Gritton (soprano)
7		Movement 07: Beatus vir [0:16]
8		Movement 08: In memoria aeterna [4:49] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto), Hilary Summers (alto), Alexandra Gibson (contralto)
9		Movement 09: Beatus vir [0:16]
10		Movement 10: Paratum cor eius [2:28] Alexandra Gibson (contralto)
11		Movement 11: Beatus vir [0:15]
12		Movement 12: Dispersit, dedit pauperibus [2:26] Hilary Summers (alto)
13		Movement 13: Beatus vir [0:18]
14		Movement 14: Peccator videbit [2:54] Hilary Summers (alto)
15		Movement 15: Gloria Patri, et Filio [2:12]
		Salve regina, RV617
16		Movement 1: Salve regina [3:03] Susan Gritton (soprano), Simon Jones (violin)
17		Movement 2: Ad te clamamus [2:17] Susan Gritton (soprano)
18		Movement 3: Eia ergo [2:04] Susan Gritton (soprano), Simon Jones (violin)
19		Movement 4: Et Jesum [2:40] Susan Gritton (soprano)
20		Laudate Dominum, RV606 [1:52]
21		In exitu Israel, RV604 [3:29]
		Nisi Dominus, RV608
22		Movement 1: Nisi Dominus [2:35] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto)
23		Movement 2: Vanum est vobis [1:05] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto)
24		Movement 3: Surgite [1:44] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto)
25		Movement 4: Cum dederit [4:24] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto)
26		Movement 5: Sicut sagittae [1:36] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto)
27		Movement 6: Beatus vir [1:12] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto)
28		Movement 7: Gloria [5:06] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto), Katherine McGillivray (viola d'amore)
29		Movement 8: Sicut erat in principio [1:02] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto)
30		Movement 9: Amen [1:51] Nathalie Stutzmann (contralto)

The first work on volume 6 is a major, rarely heard Vivaldi choral work, the setting of Beatus Vir, RV795. Alongside typically ebullient writing for chorus and orchestra, the work presents astonishing solo writing. Susan Gritton's soprano, it almost goes without saying, is glorious, but Vivaldi's girls at the Pieta also included special altos - youngsters who were trained to sing unusually low: Beatus Vir presents some of the most remarkable of all this writing, including one aria - Peccator videbit, performed by Hilary Summers - which is perhaps the lowest alto aria ever written! Alongside such peculiarities, there is much wonderful music, not least of all a rich trio In memoria aeterna.Also on the disc come two splendid choral psalm settings, In exitu Israel and Laudate Pueri. Susan Gritton sings a gloriously lyrical solo motet Salve Regina, as devout and ardent a religious setting as Vivaldi ever wrote. Gritton is surely now one of the great Vivaldi singers of our generation.

The remarkable French alto Nathalie Stutzmann, after a string of highly acclaimed recordings for other labels, makes a long-awaited début on Hyperion singing the famous setting of Nisi Dominus. Her singing is full of colour, variety and nuance, also demonstrating the astonishing coloratura and breath control which has made her one of France's most sought-after stars.