Search - Carolyn Sampson, Choir of King's Consort, Robert King :: Mozart: Exsultate Jubilate!

This is a fine collection of Mozart's religious music, much of it from relatively early in his career. The most famous piece is the joyous, coloratura-filled "Exultate jubilate," here given in a revised version Mozart made a few years after its premiere, in which the text is altered and flutes are substituted for oboes. The other familiar piece is the Laudate dominum from K. 339, a smooth-as-silk aria which is made even more exquisite by the entrance, halfway through, of the chorus, singing at a whisper. The little-known Sub tuum praesidium (K. 198) is a duet for two sopranos; Carolyn Sampson sings both parts. The whole disc is a beauty: Sampson has a gorgeous, instantly recognizable tone, pure and clean, without the vibrato-free delivery of some of her early music compatriots. Indeed, she may begin a note with a perfectly straight tone, but she warms it up an instant later with intelligent use of both vibrato and dynamics. Robert King leads his singers and instrumentalists with poise and energy. This is as highly recommended for the choral work as it is for Sampson's solo singing. A fine release. --Robert Levine