Carissimi: Mass for Three Voices / Six Motets

Editorial Reviews
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Since the death of Giacomo Carissimi (1606-74), his liturgical music – which includes over 100 motets (with as many again of doubtful authenticity) and a small handful of Masses – has received little attention. Eighteenth-century writers concentrated on his numerous secular cantatas, some even attributing the genre's invention to him. Today, we know Carissimi primarily as a sacred oratorio composer.The only previous Carissimi Mass recording I have heard is Le Istitutioni Harmoniche's disc of the Missa Sciolto havean dall'alte sponde (on Stradivarius). That work's deliberately archaic Roman 'colossal' style is very different from that of the Mass recorded here. Carissimi may have refused to apply for the recently deceased Monteverdi's post at St Mark's in 1643, but he was in many ways Monteverdi's artistic successor. Set for three voices and continuo, this Mass is in thoroughly seconda prattica style, alternating self-contained sections in learned counterpoint with free ariosos and, occasionally, passages in which the voices interweave nimbly over jaunty ciacconas and other ground basses. The accompanying six motets on exclusively Biblical texts sound more theatrical than liturgical in inspiration and may have been performed in similar circumstances to the oratorios.Consortium Carissimi consist of only a solo tenor, baritone and bass with a small continuo team. The very low pitch customary in early-seventeenth-century Rome obviates the need for any higher voices. The singing is remarkably attractive, combining minimal vibrato with a tonal flexibility and an agility perfect for the text-centred aesthetic of early-seventeenth-century music. I unreservedly recommend these beautiful, well-paced and finely fashioned performances. Christopher Price

Tracks:

Mass: Kyrie
Mass: Gloria
Mass: Credo
Mass: Sanctus
Mass: Agnus Dei
Motets: Desiderata Nobis
Motets: Confitemini Domino
Motets: Ecce Nos Relinquimus
Motets: Qui Non Renuntiat
Motets: Turbabuntur Impii
Motets: Vidi Impium

Customer Reviews:

Two entirely different musical forms both well performed.......2002-12-15

Carissimi is predominantly known for his oratorios. The performance of his mass is beatifully done by Consortium Carissimi which consists of three male voice (two tenors and bass) as well as a basso continuo. This elegantly simple mass brougt tears to my eyes on many occasions. The addition of the instrument adds a level of poignancy to the mass which is most apparent in the Agnue Dei.
The motets included have a more song-like quality than other motets I have heard, aven though the texts are religious. They are very different from the mass yet equally beatiful.
Naxos has provided a detailed summary of Carissimi and his times which elucidate the listening.
As someone who has no musical education and who has not litened to other versions of the works, my comments are limited to what I exepience as a listener.
I do plan to buy the other Naxos Carissimi disc.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

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