One could be forgiven for being more surprised that sacred music does not account for a more substantial proportion of Vivaldi’s life’s work, especially in view of his having been ordained a priest. The music on this disc, however, presents the ‘other’ side of Vivaldi which in recent years has been gaining increasing popularity thanks to the efforts of such singers as Andreas Scholl. Philips made a pioneering set of a range of Vivaldi’s sacred music and from it is culled music on this disc – uplifting and energising.
Salve Regina, RV 618 Antiphona (Rev.: V. Negri)
I Salve Regina (Andante molto) 2’13
II Ad te clamamus (Allegro) 1’46III Ad te suspisamus (Larghetto) 2’48
IV Eia ergo (Allegro) 1’22
V Et Jesum (Andante) 2’07
VI O clemens (Andante) 2’13
Deus tuorum militum, RV 612 5’05
Nico van der Meel, tenor
Stabat Mater, RV 621
I Stabat Mater dolorosa (Largo) 3’16
II Cuius animam gementem (Adagissimo) 1’40
III O quam tristis et afflicta (Andante) 2’00
IV Quis est homo (Largo) 3’11
V Quis non posset contristari (Adagissimo) 1’32
VI Pro peccatis suae gentis (Andante) 1’51
VII Eia Mater, fons amoris (Largo) 2’14
VIII Fac ut ardeat cor meum (Largo) 2’01
XI Amen (Largo) 0’56
Confitebor tibi Domine, RV 596 (Rev.: V. Negri)
I Confitebor (Allegro) 3’16
II Memoriam fecit (Allegro) 1’40
III Sanctum et terrible nomen (Andante – Andante molto) 2’00
IV Intellectus bonus omnibus (Allegro) 3’11
V Gloria Patri et Filio (Allegro) 1’32
VI Et in saecula seaculorum – Amen (Allegro) 1’51
Nico van der Meel, tenor
Nisi Dominus, RV 608
I Nisi Dominus (Allegro) 3’16
II Vanum est vobis (Largo) 1’40
III Surgite postquam sederitis (Presto) 2’00
IVCum dederit delectis suis somnum (Largo) 3’11
V Sicut sagittae in manu potentis (Allegro) 1’32
VI Beatus vir (Andante) 1’51
VII Gloria Patri (Larghetto) 2’14
VIII Sicut erat in principio (Allegro) 2’01
XI Amen (Allegro) 0’56
Jochen Kowalski, counter tenor
Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra
John Constable, organ
Raphael Alpermann, organ
Vittorio Negri
‘Kowalski’s accounts are affecting and well sustained … His vocal quality is alluring and both he and his fellow musicians capture the spirit of the Stabat Mater with sensibility … satisfying performances of distinction’ Gramophone