Search - Ignacio Jerusalem y Stella, Joseph Jennings, Chanticleer :: Jerusalem: Matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe, 1764

A Great Musical Discovery!

M. Ramos | 10/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Maitines para Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe, by Ignacio de Jerusalém, receives on this recording its first performance since two hundred years ago. Music lovers must be very thankful to Chanticleer for their interest in reviving works from the Mexican Baroque. Matins (a religious service that was performed in the Roman Catholic Church in the early hours of the morning)were a vehicle for composers in the New Spain to showcase their skill using texts of different moods. These Matins in particular, for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, bear ressemblance to the early Catholic works by Handel, where a capella chant was alternated with elaborate solo and choral movements with orchestra. Jerusalem, an Italian composer established in Mexico by 1742, borrowed music from other composers for his services: Beatam me dicent omnes is by Giacomo Rust and there are two wonderful works by Manuel de Sumaya. These two pieces, "Albricias mortales" and "Angélicas milicias" are in my opinion, the most interesting works of the CD. With their poetic Spanish texts and baroque polyphony, they illustrate the situation of Latin America during that period: great European influence with a new conscience of being part of another new reality, something similar to the literary work of the great Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz. The choral and orchestral forces of Chanticleer perform with such beauty and expression that it is difficult that even Jerusalem could have imagined that this work could sound so great. I hope Chanticleer continue to revive great works from Latin America."

Sounds like everyone, but uniquely himself. . .

BAW | Charleston, WV United States | 02/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jerusalem's music sounds like Handel sometimes, like Bach sometimes, like Vivaldi sometimes, like Haydn sometimes, and a few times even anticipates Beethoven--but his is almost always himself. For a man who spent most of his career at the edge of the 'civilized' world, he was remarkably up-to-date. He has produced a unique contribution to Western art music.



The performance also is excellent. I can't flaw what has been done here. I would like to see some other groups, however, tackle it--if only for comparison's sake."

Beautiful...definitely a masterpiece

Gabe Monforte | 02/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this CD a while ago, but I still listen to it frequently. The singing is impeccable. They sing beautifully in the Baroque style, the voices in the unison chants blend like they are one, and the contertenors are angelic. One thing that I especially like is the fact that they do an entire Matins service, and that is actually cohesive. One can clearly picture this being sung at a Matins service two centuries ago. Overall, this is truly a moving musical experience."