Search - Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Stephen Cleobury, King's College Choir - Cambridge :: Mozart: Vespers K. 321 & 339/Ave Verum Corpus; King's College Choir, Cambridge; Hilliard Ensemble

Elegant performances of Mozart's Vespers plus...

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 06/07/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Mozart composed the two Vesper Services ('Vesperae de Dominica' K321 and 'Vesperae solennes de confessore'K339) in 1779 and 1780 for performances in the Salzburg cathedral and so it is very fitting that this lovely recording is performed in the cathedral-like setting of the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge. These works were written as occasional pieces and have never reached the popularity of Mozart's Masses or Requiem but they have unusually beautiful passages.



Some listeners may quibble with the treble parts of the chorus being sung by young boys but it was just such an arrangement that was used in Mozart's time and, for this listener, maintains the purity of tone that complements these texts and ensemble sounds. The orchestras include the Hilliard Ensemble and the Cambridge Classical Players so the full spectrum of ancient instruments reinforced with contemporary forms adds richness yet serves an authentic sound. The soloists are excellent with special attention to Lynne Dawson, the sole female voice here. Her soprano is clear and pliant and very adept in recreating the 'Mozart purity of sound' so many better known singers strive to find. Her rendering of the lovely 'Laudate Dominum' in K339 is as unfettered and well embellished as befitting the overall concept of this work.



Can there ever be enough recordings of one of Mozart's 'Ave verum corpus'? One of the single most touching and beautiful works Mozart ever composed, it is here given that wonderful straight-forward performance that allows the work to make us remember that it was one of the composer's farewell compositions (created six months before his death in 1791).



The acoustics of the Chapel where this recording was created in 1987 reflect the high-ceiling mix so treasured by purists. It may not be the clearest of sounds but the ambience it lends these small works is complementary. Conductor Stephen Cleobury has rehearsed and performed these works to perfection. Grady Harp, June 05"

Beautiful music, dreadful sound

Alejandra Vernon | Long Beach, California | 12/25/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The first 2 pieces, Vesperae de Dominica and Vesperae Solennes de Confessore, were composed when Mozart was in his early twenties (which might sound young had he not written his first sacred piece when he was ten), and are lovely, and the 3rd work, the 3 minute luminous, solemn Ave Verum Corpus, which was one of Mozart's last compositions, are here ably performed by The Hilliard Ensemble, which consists of Lynne Dawson, soprano / David James, alto / Rogers Covey-Crump, tenor / Paul Hillier, bass, with the Cambridge Classical Players (who use period instruments) led by Stephen Cleobury.



It is unfortunate that the sound is fuzzy, as if one had stuffed the speakers with cardboard; I don't mind the crackles of age, but loathe distortion due either to bad production or manufacturing. Recorded in the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge in December, 1987, the use of period instruments perhaps adds to the lack of definition...the violin in the Beatus vir of the Vesperae de Dominica for instance, is barely audible. The booklet insert contains the libretto and liner notes on the compositions, and total playing time is 57'54.

"

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 01/04/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"KINGS COLLEGE SINGERS: YOU GOTTA' LOVE 'EM!!!!



Mozart wrote his first piece of church music in 1766, when he was 10 years old, and altogether he composed over 50 vocal works for ecclesiastical use. The two Vespers herein recorded date from 1779 and 1780 respectively, and were probably composed for performance in the cathedral in Salzburg. Both Vespers are scored for SATB soloists and chorus, strings, trumpets,trombones, timpani and organ. and a bassoon doubling the string basses.



The 'Vesperae de Dominca' begin with a vigorous setting in C of Psalm 110, the 4 solo voices emerging soon after it begins. The other 5 movements include words from Psalm 111, Psalm 112,Psalm 113, and Psalm 117.



The 'Vesperae solennes de confessore' begins with a movement (Dixit Dominus) that has the spirit of a symphonic lst movement. The solo quartet does not appear until the 'Gloria'.One of the most beautiful movements of this Vesper is the 'Laudate Dominum' sung magnificently on this disc by Lynne Dawson (soprano),



The motet 'Ave Verum Corpus' is a familiar Mozart work and it is extraordinarily poignant and lovely. One of the great things about the music of Mozart is that it never becomes tedious no matter how many times you hear it.



As to the performance on this CD. It would be 5 stars or more if it were not for the somewhat 'poor' quality of the soloists (except for Lynne Dawson). They are: Lynne Dawson(soprano)-David James (alto)-Roger Covey Crump (tenor) amd Paul Hillier (bass). David James ,in my opinion, has a most annoying countertenor voice. It has no sonority, very little richness of sound, and not too much volume. Fortunately, he did not have much solo work on this disc. As for Covey-Crump, he is adequate, but if you put his voice next to Mark Padmore or Ian Bostridge or John Mark Ainsley, they are just not in the same league. Paul Hillier has sounded a lot better than he sounded on this disc.

However, Dawson had the most solo work and was nigh unto perfect; great sound, great diction and great emotional investment.



The King's College Choir, with its wonderful sound, especially with those crystal-clear boy sopranos was just so enjoyable, A great recording all in all

















"