Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This is the minimalist's Monteverdi Vespers: only eight singers and 11 instrumentalists, no added plainchant or instrumental music to make up a complete Vespers service--just the music Monteverdi published, performed by the minimum possible number of musicians. In fact, Monteverdi most likely composed these pieces for solo voices (as was standard practice in 17th-century Italy), so it's no surprise that the Scholars' performance sounds thoroughly credible. The voices aren't as luscious as those of the famous singers on higher-priced versions, but they have a pure, youthful sound that suits Monteverdi well. Occasional flatness from the sopranos and cornetts aside, the execution is fine; singers and instrumentalists both add some interesting and stylish embellishments. For those on a tight budget, this version would make a fine introduction to this extraordinary work; at the budget price, Monteverdi collectors can gladly add it to their shelves as well, flaws notwithstanding. --Matthew Westphal

Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin, Music, Claudio Monteverdi, Scholars Baroque Ensemble, Choral, Choral Music, Classical, Classical Composers
Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin
Average customer rating: 4 out of 5 stars
  • Marvelously Intimate Monteverdi
 Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by MonteverdiAll Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0000013VY
Release Date: 1995-09-19

Tracks:

  1. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Domine ad adiuvandum
  2. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Psalm 109: Dixit Dominus
  3. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Concerto: Nigra sum
  4. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Psalm 112: Laudate pueri dominum
  5. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Concerto: Pulchra es
  6. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Psalm 121: Laetatus sum
  7. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Concerto: Duo seraphim
  8. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Psalm 126: Nisi Dominus
  9. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Concerto: Audi coelum
  10. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Psalm 147: Lauda Ierusalem

Tracks:

  1. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Sonata: Sancta Maria ora pro nobis
  2. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Hymn: Ave maris stella
  3. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Magnificat
  4. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Et exultavit
  5. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Quia respexit
  6. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Quia fecit mihi magna
  7. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Et misericordia
  8. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Fecit potentiam
  9. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Deposuit potentes de sede
  10. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Esurientes implevit bonis
  11. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Suscepit Israel
  12. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Sicut locutus est
  13. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Gloria Patri
  14. Vespers Of The Blessed Virgin: Magnificat: Sicut erat in principio

Amazon.com

This is the minimalist's Monteverdi Vespers: only eight singers and 11 instrumentalists, no added plainchant or instrumental music to make up a complete Vespers service--just the music Monteverdi published, performed by the minimum possible number of musicians. In fact, Monteverdi most likely composed these pieces for solo voices (as was standard practice in 17th-century Italy), so it's no surprise that the Scholars' performance sounds thoroughly credible. The voices aren't as luscious as those of the famous singers on higher-priced versions, but they have a pure, youthful sound that suits Monteverdi well. Occasional flatness from the sopranos and cornetts aside, the execution is fine; singers and instrumentalists both add some interesting and stylish embellishments. For those on a tight budget, this version would make a fine introduction to this extraordinary work; at the budget price, Monteverdi collectors can gladly add it to their shelves as well, flaws notwithstanding. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

4 out of 5 stars Marvelously Intimate Monteverdi.......2002-08-03

The Scholars Baroque Ensemble is a small group of British singers and period instrumentalists that records for the inexpensive Naxos label. The SBE's singers (about 12 in number!) furnish both chorus and soloists, which is to say that you will not encounter celebrity vocalists here or in any SBE/Naxos production. Still, this performance of Monteverdi's sublime 1610 Vespers joins other noteworthy Scholars/Naxos recordings of Bach (St. John Passion; Motets), Handel ('Messiah'), and Purcell ('Dido & Aeneas'; 'The Faery Queene') near the top of my list of recommendable budget-priced recordings. As with all its recordings, the SBE provides a chamber-scale performance of music that is often performed as polychoral spectacle by much larger groups. I find the intimacy of the SBE's approach refreshing; others might legitimately prefer a larger sound and gravitate to recordings by the likes of John Eliot Gardner or Nikolaus Harnoncourt. And even if you do prefer a smaller scale performance of the Monteverdi Vespers, direct competition for SBE/Naxos comes from baroque veteran Andrew Parrott on a pair of EMI CDs. Parrott's fine performance is also budget priced, employs star singers (Emma Kirkby, for example) and sounds considerably more polished than the SBE's. Call me perverse, but I rather prefer the Naxos recording anyway. While a bit rough around the edges, the sheer enthusiasm of the SBE is winning. Moreover, Naxos provides a suitably rich and resonant recording acoustic so that, although performed chamber-scale, the grandeur of the music isn't at all slighted. In short, the freshness and astonishing beauty of Monteverdi's glorious music registers throughout. Lovely!
Vespers of the Blessed Virgin (& Catalog)
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Vespers of the Blessed Virgin (& Catalog)
    Monteverdi , Garrido , and Ensemble Elyma
    Manufacturer: K617 Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    ClassicalClassical | Imports | Stores | Music
    ASIN: B000063XPD
    Release Date: 2003-04-08
    Claudio Monteverdi: Vespro Della Beata Vergine Marien-Vesper (1610) (Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary) [Deutsche Harmonia Mundi]
    Average customer rating: Not rated
      		Claudio Monteverdi: Vespro Della Beata Vergine Marien-Vesper (1610) (Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary) [Deutsche Harmonia Mundi]
      Cantus Cölln , and Concerto Palatino
      Manufacturer: RCA
      ProductGroup: Music
      Binding: Audio CD

      All Works by MonteverdiAll Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
      GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
      Classical MusicClassical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
      Opera & VocalOpera & Vocal | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
      ASIN: B000001TYQ
      Release Date: 1996-07-16
      Handel: Ressurezione; Monteverdi: Vespers of The Blessed Virgin [Germany]
      Average customer rating: Not rated
        		Handel: Ressurezione; Monteverdi: Vespers of The Blessed Virgin [Germany]
        Gabry , Toepler-Marizy , Lisken , Fackert , Wenk , Ewerhart , and Santini Chamber Orchestra Muns
        Manufacturer: Quadromania Klassik
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B00023GOKA
        Release Date: 2006-05-03
        Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin
        Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
        • Exceptional
        		 Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin

        Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
        ProductGroup: Music
        Binding: Audio CD

        All Works by MonteverdiAll Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
        Sacred & ReligiousSacred & Religious | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems
        Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music | Requiems
        GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
        GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        ChantsChants | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
        ASIN: B00000IWRY
        Release Date: 1999-05-18

        Tracks:

        1. Deus In Adjutorium/Domine Ad Adjuvandum - Wynford Evans
        2. Antiphon 'Emissiones Tuae Paradisus' - Schola De Petits Chanteurs De Notre-Dame De Sion/Bernard Heritier
        3. Dixit Dominus: Nigra Sum - Wynford Evans
        4. Dixit Dominus: Antiphon 'Quae Est Ista' - Schola De Petits Chanteurs De Notre-Dame De Sion/Bernard Heritier
        5. Laudate Pueri: Pulchra Es, Amica Mea - Jennifer Smith/Audrey Michael
        6. Laudate Pueri: Antiphon 'Sicut Lilium Inter Spinas'/Laetatus Sum - Schola De Petits Chanteurs De Notre-Dame De Sion/Bernard Heritier
        7. Laudate Pueri: Duo Seraphim Clamabant - Wynford Evans/John Elwes/Philippe Huttenlocher
        8. Laudate Pueri: Antiphon 'Veniat Dilectus Meus In Hortum Sum' - Schola De Petits Chanteurs De Notre-Dame De Sion/Bernard Heritier
        9. Nisi Dominus: Audi Caelum - Wynford Evans/Philippe Huttenlocher/Ens Vocal De Lausanne/Bernard Heritier
        10. Nisi Dominus: Antiphon 'Nigra Sum' - Schola De Petits Chanteurs De Notre-Dame De Sion/Bernard Heritier
        11. Lauda Jerusalem: Sancta Sopra Sancta Maria Ora Pro Nobis - Jennifer Smith/Audrey Michael/Wynford Evans/John Elwes/Philippe Huttenlocher/Michel Brodard...
        12. Lauda Jerusalem: Ave Maris Stella - Agnes De Crousaz/Audrey Michael/Michel Brodard/Ens Vocal Lausanne...

        Customer Reviews:

        5 out of 5 stars Exceptional.......2000-06-26

        This is an exceptional CD, and one of my favorites. An accidental purchase, I found that the soaring harmonies and exquisite melodies quickly made me crave listening to it. An excellent addition to a sacred music or classical library!
        Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary
        Average customer rating: Not rated
          		Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary

          ProductGroup: Music
          Binding: Audio CD

          GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
          ASIN: B000AAIX1S
          Release Date: 2003-04-08
          Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary / Grandi
          Average customer rating: Not rated
            		Monteverdi: Vespers of the Blessed Virgin Mary / Grandi
            Monteverdi , Gendre , Ensemble Orlando Fribourg , and Grandi
            Manufacturer: Cascavelle
            ProductGroup: Music
            Binding: Audio CD

            All Works by MonteverdiAll Works by Monteverdi | Monteverdi, Claudio | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
            Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
            GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
            MadrigalsMadrigals | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
            MagnificatsMagnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
            MotetsMotets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
            ASIN: B00008VGLR
            Release Date: 2003-04-08
            Vespers of the Blessed Virgin
            Average customer rating: Not rated
              		Vespers of the Blessed Virgin
              Monteverdi , and Harnoncourt
              Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
              ProductGroup: Music
              Binding: Audio CD
              ASIN: B00008F0FH
              Release Date: 1989-05-18

              Track Listings:

              1. Mozart: Concerto for clarinet in A; Concerto for bassoon in Bf
              2. Mozart: Serenata Notturna / Maag, London Symphony Orchestra
              3. Mozart: Violin Concertos Nos. 1-5; Haffner Serenade
              4. Music for Maundy Thursday
              5. Ockeghem: Missa Mi-Mi
              6. Offenbach - Les Contes d'Hoffmann / Alagna, van Dam, Dessay, Vaduva, Jo, Lascarro, Dubosc, Ragon, Sénéchal, Bacquier, Lamprecht, Nagano
              7. Paul Dukas: Symphony In C Major/Polyeucte Overture
              8. Per Amore [Import]
              9. Petrushka/Le Sacre du Printemps [Import]
              10. Ponder Nothing

              Track Listings

              track listings

              Track Listings

              A Split of Nightmares [Explicit Lyrics]

              Carl Flesch: Historical Recordings, 1905 - 1936 [Box set]

              Flesh + Blood

              Why Try To Change Me Now?

              Complete Collection [Import]

              Electric Circus (+ Bonus DVD) [Import]

              Chess [Soundtrack]

              Dinner Music [Box set]

              Egg [Import]

              Chunk

              By Request

              Cantan Cele Delgado Y Anibal Iglesias [Import]

              Canta Macondo: Cumbias con Mucha Dinamita

              Essential Collection

              Watching the Night Fall