George Guest, St John's College Choir, Roger Norrington, Schütz Choir - Pergolesi, D. Scarlatti, A. Bononcini: Stabat Mater (1995)
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 645 Mb | Total time: 141:57 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Decca | # 443 868-2 | Recorded: 1966, 1973, 1977, 1978
EAC | FLAC | Image (Cue & Log) ~ 645 Mb | Total time: 141:57 | Scans included
Classical | Label: Decca | # 443 868-2 | Recorded: 1966, 1973, 1977, 1978
This anthology of devotional music from 18th-century Venice and Naples offers an interesting and varied programme. Best known is Pergolesi’s Stabat mater, but the settings by Domenico Scarlatti and Bononcini stand well in comparison. The motets by Lotti, Caldara and Alessandro Scarlatti are real discoveries; Norrington’s performances of the latter are particularly fine. Guest’s Pergolesi suffers from a focus of sound which makes the interpretation seem somewhat generalised. However, all these performances give pleasure, while the music is melodically fresh and rhythmically vital.
