Various Artists - Ehre Sei Gott Fur Alles / Various - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Greg d'Alessio's Veil offers a cross-section through all the facets encompassing modern classical composition as well as an impressive portrait of the composer's unique voice and development over two decades. Veil's chronological track order allows the listener to follow the progression of both the music and the man behind it. Veil and Thread are D'Alessio's early chamber works, very much reflective of the conviction and clarity characteristic of the young composer, built on a thoughtful yet passionate blend of traditional structure and instrumentation with experimental effects. Enter Sono Solo and the turmoil begins. Befitting the meaning of their Italian title, Sono Solo paints an accurate, solemn portrait of solitude, a soulful, introspective lament that is not without instances of enlightenment and self-assurance. Now's the Time picks up with a higher energy level, intertwining jazz rhythms and harmonies with D'Alessio's ever-present pursuit of a carefully constructed, airy musical architecture. Elements of it are still experimental - but now with the greater determination of a matured composer. After Ending forms the transcendent climax of the album. The two-part work contrasts a profoundly lyrical first movement with a strongly rhythmic finale reminiscent of Shostakovich's late symphonies. They, too, harken back to the stark contrast of the D'Alessio's early work, but now with the aplomb of someone who's confident that he has achieved mastery in his field. What stands out about Veil is the astonishing ease with which two opposing concepts are reconciled The diversity of modern composition in it's widespread applications, and the profoundly personal, individual journey of a singular composer. Album Tracks 1. Veil 2. Thread 3. Sono Solo 4. Now's the Time 5. After Ending 6.

With it's ciaconna bass, Hammerschmidt's sacred concerto Nun danket alle Gott perfectly exemplifies the programme of this recording devoted to the influences of the Italian Baroque on the works of seventeenth-century Lutheran composers. The vast majority of the repertory gathered here comes once again from the exceptionally rich library assembled at the end of the seventeenth century by Gustav Duben, organist of the German Church in Stockholm. His collection contains the only known copy of a Confitebor tibi Domine by Claudio Monteverdi. Other composers such as Bernhard and Rosenmuller had very close links with Italy and were among those who helped to disseminate Italian practices in the German-speaking lands. In all this sacred repertory, the role of instruments, and particularly that of the violin (the emblematic instrument of Italy), is highly developed. The instruments accompany the voice and comment on the texts in most expressive fashion. This programme also offers a chance to discover some gems by lesser-known composers such as Hanff, Pfleger and Pohle. Album Tracks 1. Ach Herr, strafe mich nicht soprano, 2 violins, 2 violas, bassoon, basso continuo (bass violin, organ) 2. O clemens, o mitis, o coelestis pater soprano, 2 violins, viola, basso continuo (bass violin, organ) 3. Ad te clamat cor meum soprano, 2 violins, 2 violas, basso continuo (bass violin, bassoon, organ) 4. Vulnerasti cor meum soprano, organ 5. Christ lag in Todesbanden (versus 1) 2 violins, viola, bass violin~[Excerpt] 6. Confitebor tibi Domine soprano, 2 violins, 2 violas, bassoon, basso continuo (bass violin, organ) 7. Aus der Tieffen soprano, 2 violins, basso continuo (bass violin, organ) 8. Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe soprano, 2 violins, basso continuo (bass violin, organ) 9. Nun danket alle Gott soprano, 2 violins, 2 violas, bassoon, basso continuo (bass violin, organ

Album Tracks 1. Adagio 2. Allegro 3. Largo 4. Presto 5. Adagio 6. Allegro Assai 7. Siciliana 8. Presto 9. Cantabile 10. Allegro 11. Andante 12. Presto 13. Adagio 14. Allegro 15. Andante 16. Allegro 17. Adagio 18. Allegro 19. Adagio 20. Allegro 21. Adagio 22. Allegro 23. Andante 24. Allegro 25. Grave 26. Allegro 27. Affettuoso 28. Vivace