Thomanerchor Leipzig - Christmas Oratorio - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Aurelio Bonelli's life is shrouded in mystery and today little remains of his creative output. The set features works from the collection Il primo libro de ricercari et canzoni a quattro voci of which only two copies remain. An artist by day it's thought he learnt painting from Agostino Carracci, a key figure of the Bologna School. They worked together on the frescos of Bologna's Olivetan monastery of San Michele in Bosco and in approximately 1611 Bonelli was appointed monastery organist. The set opens with eight four-part Ricercari. This gives a fascinating insight into how the Italian ricercar evolved from simply a vessel for compositional experimentation with few formal structures, to a defined style governed by rules, eventually making it the keyboard equivalent of the liturgical vocal motet. Bonelli's ricercari can be placed in the middle of this transition period. Ricercar del Secondo Tuono and Ricercar del Quinto Tuono for example have identifiable forms but irregularities occur with the introduction of new stylistic and formal elements at the end of the second section which contradict received ideas about the tripartite form. Classical themes are reflected in the eight four-part canzoni where names are drawn from mythology and epics 'Licori', 'Arete', 'Urania', 'Istrina', 'Nisa', 'Irene', 'Artemisia' and 'Erina'. Again, we hear the conflict between experimentation and modern rules, and the pieces all feature four or five different themes and regularly change metres. This gives the impression there are as many as four or five different parts while only 'Urania' strictly follows the ternary structure. Federico Del Sordo plays the organ of the Abbey of San Magno. Dating from the 1600s, it is the oldest organ with surviving double pedals, allowing works written for two organs to be performed. The artist also plays a harpsichord strung with iron wire rather than b

Thomanerchor Leipzig - Christmas Choruses [COMPACT DISCS] date 09/09/2008

Hugo Distler was one of the most important composers of choral music in the first half of the 20th century. His music reaches back to the great German polyphonists like Schutz, imbuing it with polymodal and polyrythmic elements, creating a unique, introverted, ascetic but deeply felt language that touches the heart. His personal troubles and the repression of his music by the Nazis that thought it 'degenerate,' led to his suicide in 1942. This recording, featuring a stellar solo cast ably supported by the Thomanerchor Leipzig - one of the most respected choirs in Europe - can only increase your appreciation for a composer whose work represents an important chapter in sacred music history.