Search - Mozart, Peter Neumann, Collegium Cartusianum :: Mozart: Masses

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 01/05/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"NEUMANN DELIVERS A MAGICAL MOZART COLLECTION OF THE REQUIEM, AVE VERUM CORPUS AND ELEVEN MASSES!

The eleven masses are: 'Missa brevis in D minor'-'Missa in C major' (Kronungsmesse)- 'Missa solemnis in C major'- 'Missa in C major' (Spaur-Messe)- 'Missa brevis in C major' (Orgelsolo-Messe)- 'Missa in C minor'- 'Missa brevis in C major' (Spatzen-Messe)- 'Missa in C minor (Walsenhausmesse-Orphanage Mass)-'Missa in C major' (Credo-Messe)- 'Missa in C major' (Dominicus-Messe)-'Missa in C major' (Missa in honorem Sanctissimae Trinitas).



As for the Masses, Mozart kept to the traditional plan in six sections(Kyrie,Gloria,Credo,Sanctus,Benedictus,Agnus Dei), even when the inpression is that the sections are more numerous (as many as 21 in the "Orphanage" Mass), it is actually a matter of sub-sections, of varying number according to the requirements of the particular work, including famous and impressive settings of the 'Laudamus te' and 'Et incarnatus est'.



Neumann performs these Masses in a romantic and lyrical style; the orchestra has a bright up-beat sound and each mass is very much enhanced by the very excellent solo voices he has employed. The predominant soprano is Barbara Schlick, contralto Ulla Groenewald, tenor Markus Schafer and bass Franz Joseph Selig.



My focus is mostly on the very wonderful performance of the Requiem. I have many recordings of this, but none as impressive as this one. Neumann has employed four positively marvelous singers for the quartet that is present two-thirds of the time. They are: Diana Montague (sop), Michael Chance(countertenor), Christoph Pregardien (tenor) and Franz-Joseph Selig (bass). They have a rich full-bodied sound and their blend is superb. The romantic legato approach by Neumann allows them to use much emotion in their performance. No need to neglect mention of the very capable choir (Kolner Kammerchor) for the sound, the balance between the voice parts and their emotional investment was nigh unto perfect.



This glorious and incomparable performance of the Mozart Requiem has not, in my opinion, been matched on any other recording, and I own several including Gardiner's 1986 recording. Just compare the quartet of soloists on that recording and then on this recording, or any other for that matter; they can't be matched! It gives me chills everytime I hear it, and I have had the set for several years, It is a listenng experience unsurpassed for the Mozart lover and lover of outstanding vocal performalnce.



This five disc set is a wonderful collection for the Mozartian fan!



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