Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus, RV 595; Gloria, RV 588; Nulla in mundo pax sincera

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
Volume 1 of Vivaldi’s complete sacred music features the impressive if less familiar of the two settings of the Gloria, RV 588, the second setting of the vespers psalm Dixit Dominus, and Nulla in mundo pax sincera, used with striking effect in the film Shine. With texts divided between soloists and chorus, both compositions bear all the hallmarks of Vivaldi’s finest choral works: festive brilliance, dramatic changes of mood and texture, and passages of aching melancholy. Conductor Kevin Mallon founded the Aradia Ensemble in 1996, and has already made 20 highly regarded recordings with the group for Naxos.

Customer Reviews:

Focus on the Recordings.......2007-07-23

I've made this small review of the Vivaldi Masterworks set because it is SO difficult to find a review of such a big collection.

The price is killer and you HAVE to buy it, but be warned: these are not the best recordings, you get what you pay for.

First of all, I'm not a Vivaldi expert, but I've heard his compositions throughout my life in so many different places and recordings and have a vague idea of how some have to be played. Secondly, I'm not a classical music connoisseur, but I love it and have over 300 discs of various composers and styles. Third, I know what a good audio recording should sound like and this will influence my critique of some discs in the collection. Finally, it's easy to get lost among all the tracks contained, so in some cases I will give you my favorite tracks in a disc.

I'm sorry, but I've only reached disc 20 of the box-set, as I listen to more this review will be expanded.

DISC 1:
Why would you use an AAD recording as a first impression for a 40 disc box-set and for the "Four Seasons", which is probably Vivaldi's best know work. The concertos are played enthusiastically, but lack any additional virtuosity to put it ahead of other much better recordings out there.

DISC 2:
Same as DISC 1, played and recorded by the same people.

DISC 3:
The pieces in this disc are VERY well played, nonetheless, you can hear heavy breathing from the soloist which can be a bit annoying.

DISC 4:
Very well performed as well, heavy breathing is less present.

DISC 5:
A very good recording, excellent execution by the hapsichord and good by the recorder.
Tracks 4, 6, 7 and the whole "La Notte" are extraordinary.

DISC 6:
Exquisitely recorded and performed by the Budapest Strings.

DISC 7:
Marvelous performance on the whole disc.
Tracks 22 & 24 are non-plus-ultra.

DISC 8:
Great performance too.
Suggested tracks: 7, 12, 15, 24

DISC 9:
To have an original baroque organ playing is a plus.
Solo strings are lacking in quality (for example: tracks 6 & 7).
Suggested tracks: 1, 4, 8, 15

DISC 10:
Despite being and ADD recording, the quality is fairly good. The cello is very well played.
Suggested tracks: 3, 4, 12
Excellent track: 13

DISC 11:
Same musical group and soloist as DISC 10. The contrabass is extremely distorted sometimes, and if you take into consideration that this is an ADD recording, it can get pretty bad. Some background noise is perceived.
Suggested tracks: 3, 6, 9

DISC 12:
The compositions are somewhat boring, either way the performance is plain decent.
Suggested tracks: 10, 12

DISC 13:
Good performance and sound quality.
Suggested tracks: 1, 4, 6, 7
Excellent track: 12

DISC 14:
Good performance and sound quality too.
Suggested tracks: 10, 14, 16
Excellent track: 5

DISC 15:
Badly mixed, the basoon is blocking the whole ensamble by being in the foreground.
The playing precision is lacking.
An AWEFUL thing about this recording is that you can hear the basson key-sticking with the instrument and the saliva. It's horrible.
Such a pity, the sound of the basson with other instruments can be pretty interesting.

DISC 16:
Violins sound a bit off tempo.
Suggested tracks: 4, 8

DISC 17:
Good sound quality and performance.
Suggested tracks: 1, 7, 9

DISC 18:
Despite being an old recording, it is a very welcome one.
The performance is very well above par. Tempo is fantastic.
The quality of the recording could have been better due to some string plucking that is heard and which can become bothersome.
These are some of Vivaldi's best know tunes.
Suggested tracks: 4, 6, 13
Excellent tracks: 1, 3

DISC 19:
Lively recording.
Track 6 is the same piece found in another disc in the collection, but with a better performance.

DISC 20:
By now you've heard all of this pieces before in the other discs. Nothing new here, nor better.

This is a fantastic deal!.......2007-02-25

If you are a fan at all of the Four Seasons you should love this music. I will admit right now that I am a classical music fan. I don't write or perform it. I am a novice listener. I have never taken any music lessons(though I am leaning in that direction) and certainly have not gone through any university music training. I started out in rock and roll but found classical as I got older and fell in love with it a few years ago.

With that context in mind I do hope I am able to recognize quality and this work is of the highest. It helps when you are starting with good ingredients in the first place. You can't bake great bread without great ingredients and Vivaldi's music library has some of the greatest musical ingredients of the last 300 years. They are very much the foundation for modern western culture and music. His talent is woven through what we are

The first 26 CDs are instrumental starting with the four seasons and working through many of the Master's many popular works. I will admit the four seasons are not the best interpretation I have heard but it is definitely acceptable. The rest of the music shows us many facets of the Baroque style and you can see themes emerging through some of the pieces that give us a 'fingerprint' of Vivaldi's style and the parameters of the stylistic leanings of the genre at the time. If you want to immerse yourself in 18th century music this is your chance

This music would be ideal for someone who owns a store and is looking for background music. With over 26 CDs of instrumental music alone you could have those constantly looping and you'd probably never get bored of them(OK I may be stretching it a little there). The reason is that the music does not leave a bad 'aftertaste' in your mind. It fits into the background as easily and naturally as it is to listen to it consciously in the foreground. If you are a fan of classical Baroque you don't usually need to be in the mood for this, it will adjust your mood to itself and Vivaldi's music is almost always of an uplifting sort if this collection is any indication. If you want something to listen to at your job 8 hours per day this is good for the mind and it would take you over a week to get through it if you listened to it every minute of every work day. You will also work without the worry of the music distracting your concentration. I find it enhances it when I'm working. I don't know how well this would work on school kids but teachers might want to try playing this during school time. You may create a few geniuses, we certainly could use more!

If you are looking for something to ease your sleep and oil your dreams I have put these CD's on in the background. Not only can I easily fall asleep when they are playing quietly in the background but it helps you sleep and you wake up in a very pleasant atmosphere if the music is still playing quietly when you wake(you probably would need to rip them to your MP3 player to do that). It's like napping at a classical music concert without the worry of being nudged by your spouse or offending the other concert goers with your snoring. That will be quite a unique experience for you and possibly give you some real sweet dreams. It has for me

So to wrap it up this is very intelligent, uplifting music that is great for your mind and your soul. It is definitely worth the purchase if you are a fan of the Four Seasons and the Baroque genre in my novice classical music fan's opinion

Excellent, Broad Selection.......2007-01-25

This 40-cd collection affords me a rare pleasure almost daily: the thrill of hearing something new by Vivaldi. Despite my best efforts over the years, I've managed to miss hearing a lot of great works by the master. Listening to a single CD now and then, catching tunes on the radio... you can't possibly get a comprehensive understanding of Vivaldi's output that way.

But when you work your way systematically from CD 1 through 40, you're sure to find many pleasant surprises. I've been skipping through everything I already know -- in some cases, it has only taken me about a minute to get through a whole CD (first 3 seconds of each track is usually enough). But then I stop and listen carefully three or four times to anything that's new.

Ah, what a pleasure. I've already acquired some new favorites. And some old standbys have proved even more rewarding, e.g. at first I thought RV 127 (CD 7, tracks 10-12) was performed too slowly (Naxos No: 8.553742 is much faster), but now I'm not sure; maybe it's BETTER that way! I can't recommend this set highly enough.

$70....when was this???.......2006-11-25

Wish the cost was $70 now. Guess the record producer (or Amazon) got tired of making less than $2 per CD.

$70/40... you do the math........2006-04-07

No, I don't own this collection...yet. However, the price of the collection compels me to review it beforehand. Never have I seen such a complete collection of Vivaldi compositions at such an incredibly low price. At $1.75 dollars a CD, the record producer (Brilliant Classics) isn't making much of a profit. The compilation pulls some of its works from DG Achiv Produktion's vault (see Standage), such as the violin concertos, as well as from unknown producers (the Poland Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra is heavily featured). The collection is so complete that it is academic, and I would not be surprised if music libraries quickly emptied it from Amazon's shelves. The collection is simply worth it for the incredible price (English Concert's recording of the violin concertos cost nearly 30 bucks, and is exactly featured here). Overall, the price alone makes this collection exceptionally attractive, and the ensembles featured aren't bad either.

Antonio Vivaldi: The Complete Sacred Music

Average customer rating:

Antonio Vivaldi: The Complete Sacred Music

Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Hymns | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Magnificats | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Motets | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Oratorios | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Imports | Stores | Music
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Vivaldi Edition: Vespri per l'Assunzione di Maria Vergine
Vivaldi Edition: L'Olimpiade
Motezuma
Vivaldi: Orlando Furioso

ASIN: B00000DUE7
Release Date: 2005-11-08

Tracks:

Magnificat
Et Exsultavit
Et Misericordia Eius
Fecit Potentiam
Deposuit Potentes
Esurientes
Suscepit Isreal
Sicut Locutus Est
Gloria
Lauda, Jersalem
Kyrie Eleison
Christe Eleison
Kyrie Eleison
Credo In Unum Deum
Et Incarnatus Est
Crucifixus
Et Resurrexit
Dixit Dominus
Donec Ponam
Vigram Virtutis Tuae
Tecum Principium
Luravit Dominus
Dominus A Dextris Tuis
Ludicabit In Nationibus
De Torrente In Via
Gloria
Sicut Erit In Principio

Tracks:

Allegro: In Furore Iustissimae Irae
Recitativo: Miserationem Pater Piissime
Largo: Tunc Meus Fletus Evadet Laetus
Allegro: Alleluia
Allegro: Longe Mala, Umbrae, Terrores
Recitativo: Recedite, Nubes Et Fulgura
Largo: Descende, O Caeli Vox
Allegro: Alleluia
Allegro: Clarae Stellae, Scintillate
Recitativo: Caeli Repleti Iam Novo Splendore
Allegro: Nunc Iubilare
Allegro: Alleluia
Allegro: Canta In Prato, Ride In Monte
Recitativo: Saeva Fulgescit Nobis
Allegro: Avenae Rusticae Sinceri Fervida Amoris
Allegro: Alleluia
Accompagnato: Filiae Maestae Jerusalem
Largo: Sileant Zephyri
Accompagnato: Sed Tenebris Diffusis
Larghetto: Nulla In Mundo Pax Sincera
Recitativo: Blando Colore Oculos Mundus Decepit
Allegro: Spirat Anguis
Allegro: Alleluia

Tracks:

Dixit Dominus
Donec Ponam Inimicos Tuos
Virgam Virturis Tuae
Tecum Principium
Iuravit Dominus
Dominus A Dextris Tuis
Indicabit In Nationibus
De Torrente In Via Bibet
Gloria Patri, Et Filio
Sicut Erat In Principio
Et In Saecula Saeculorum
Domine Ad Adiuvandum
Gloria Patri, Et Filio
Sicut Erat In Principio
Credidi Propter Qoud
Beatus Vir RV598
Beatus Vir
Potens In Terra
Antifona Beatus Vir
Gloria Et Divitiae
Antifona Beatus Vir
Exortum Est In Tendebris
Iucundus Homo
Antifona Beatus Vir
In Memoria Aeterna
Antifona Beatus Vir
Paratum Cor Eius
Peccator Videbit
Antifona Beatus Vir
Gloria Patri, Et Filio

Tracks:

Overture: Allegro
Overture: Largo
Coro Assyrian Soldiers Arma, Caedes, Vindicatae, Furores
Aria Holofernes Felix En Fausta Dies
Aria Holofernes Nil Arma, Nil Bella
Recitativo Vagaus Mi Dux, Domine Mi
Aria Vagus Matrona Inimica
Recitativo Holofernes Huc Accedat Matrona
Aria Juditha Qou Cum Patriae Me Ducit Amore
Recitativo Abra Ne Timeas Non
Aria Abra Vultus Tui Vago Splendori
Recitativo Abra Vide, Humilis Prostrata
Coro Vagus, Assyrian Solders
Recitativo Vagus Quem Vides Prope, Aspectu
Aria Vagus Quamvis Ferro Et Ense Gravis
Recitativo Holofernes Quid Cerno! Oculi Mei
Aria Juditha Quanto Magis Generosa
Recitativo Holofernes Magna, O Foemina, Petis
Aria Holofernes Magna, O Foemina, Petis
Recitativo Juditha, Tu Ludex Es, Tu Dominus, Tu Potens
Aria Juditha Agitata Infido Flatu
Recitativo Holofernes In Tentorio Supernae
Aria Con Coro Vagus, Servents O Servi, Volate
Recitantivo Vagus Tu Quoque Hebraica Ancilla
Aria Juditha Veni, Veni, Me Sequere Fida
Recitativo Abra Venio, Juditha, Venio: Animo Fave
Aria Abra Fulgeat Sol Frontis Decorae
Recitativo Abra In Urbe Interim Pia
Coro Bethulians Mundi Rector De Caelo Micanti

Tracks:

Recitativo Ozias Summi Regis In Mente
Aria Ozias O Sydera, O Stellae
Recitativo Ozia Iam Saevientis In Hostem
Recitativo Holofernes Nox In Umbra Dum Surgit
Aria Holofernes Nox Obscura Tenebrosa
Recitativo Holofernes Belligerae Meae Sorti
Aria Juditha Transit Aetas
Recitativo Holofernes Haec In Crastinum Serva: Ah, Nimis Vere
Aria Holofernes Noli, O Cara, Te Adorantis
Recitativo Juditha Tibi Dona Salutis
Coro Assyrian Soldiers Plena Nectare Non Mero
Recitativo Holofernes Tormenta Mentis Tuae Fugiant A Corde
Aria Juditha Vivat In Pace, Et Pax Regnet Sincera
Recitativo Juditha Sic In Pace Inter Hostes
Aria Vagaus Umbrae Carae, Aurae Adoratae
Aria Vagaus Quae Fortunata Es Tu Vaga Matrona
Aria Abra Non Ita Reducem
Recitativo Abra Iam Pergo, Postes Claudo
Accompagnato Juditha Summe Astrorum Creator
Aria Juditha In Somno Profundo
Accompagnato Juditha Impii, Indigni Trianni
Recitativo Juditha Abra, Abra, Accipe Munus
Aria Abra Si Fulgida Per Te Propitia Caeli Fax
Recitativo Vagaus Iam Non Procul Ab Axe
Aria Vagaus Armatae Face, Et Anguibus
Recitativo Ozias Quam Insolita Luce
Aria Ozias Gaude Felix
Accompagnato Ozias Ita Decreto Aeterno
Coro Judeans Salve, Invicta Juditha, Formosa

Tracks:

Aria In Turbato Mare Irato
Recitativo Splende Serena, O Lux Amata
Aria Respende, Bella
Alleluia
Recitativo Non In Pratis Aut In Hortis
Adagio Ibi Spinis Confixus
Aria Pro Me Caput Spinas Habet
Recitativo Quaesone facias, Domine
Largo Stabat Mater Dolorosa
Adagissimo Cuius Animam Gementem
Andante O Quam Tristis Et Afflicta
Largo Quis Est Homo, Qui Non Fleret
Adagissimo Quis Non Posset Contristari
Adante Pro Peccatis Suae Gentis
Largo Eia Mater, Fons Amoris
Lento Fac Ut Ardeat Cor Meum
Allegro Amen
Aria O Qui Caeli Terraque Serentias
Recitativo Fac Ut Sordescat Tellus
Aria Rosa Quae Moritur
Alleluia
Deus Tuorum Militum
Allegro Confitebor Tibi, Domine, In Toto Corde Meo
Allegro Memoriam Fecit Mirabilium Suorum
Andante Sanctum Et Terribile Nomen Eius
Allegro Intellectus Bonus Omnibus Facientibus Eum
Allegro Gloria Patri, et Filio
Allegro Et In Saecula Saeculorum

Tracks:

Allegro Beatus Vir
Allegro Gloria Et Divitiae
Beatus Vir
Andante Molto Exortum Est In tenebris
Beatus Vir
Allegro Lucundus Homo
Beatus Vir
Andante Molto In memoria Aeterna
Beatus Vir
Andante Paratum Cor Eius
Beatus Vir
Andante Dispersit, Dedit Pauperibus
Beatus Vir
Largo Peccator Videbit
Allegro Gloria Patri, Et Filio
Andante Salve Regina
Allegro Ad Te Clamamus
Allegro Eia Ergo
Andante Et Jesum
Laudate Dominum
In Exitu Israel
Allegro Nisi Dominus
Largo Vanum Est Vobis
Presto - Adagio Surgite
Andante Cum dederit
Allegro Sicut Sagittae
Andante Beatus Vir
Larghetto Gloria
Allegro Sicut Erat In Principio
Allegro Amen

Tracks:

Laetatus Sum
Laudate Pueri Dominum
Sit Nomen Domini
Usque Ad Occasum
Excelsus Super Omnes Gentes
Suscitans A terra Inopem
Ut Collocet Eum
Gloria Patri (I)
Gloria Patri (II)
Amen
Vestro Principi Divino
O felix Culpa
Quid Loqueris Ad Cor
Alleluia
Jubilate, O Amoeni Chori
In Tam ASolemni Pompa
Sonoro Modulamine: Gloria In Excelsis Deo
Et In Terra Pax Hominibus
Laudamus Te
Gratias Agimus Tibi
Domine Deus, Rex Caelestis
Domine Fili Unigenite
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei
Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi
Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris
Quoniam To Solus Santus
Cum Sancto Spiritu

Tracks:

Sum In Medio Tempestatum
Quid Ergo Faciam
Semper Maesta
Alleluia
Laudate Pueri, Dominum
Sit Nomen Domini
A solis Ortu Usque Ad Occasum
Excelsus Super Omnes Gentes
Quis Sicut Dominus
Suscitans A Terra Inopem
Ut Collocet Aum
Gloria Patri
Laudate Pueri: Sicut Erat In Principio
Amen
Cur Sagittas, Cur Tela
Hostibus Circumventa
In Te, Beate Pater
Sanctorum Meritis
Salve Regina
Ad Te Clamamus
Ad Te Suspirmus
Eia Ergo Advocata
Et Jesum Benedictum
O Clemens, O Pia

Tracks:

Laudate Pueri Dominum
A Solis Ortu
Excelsus Super Omnes
Sit Nomen Domini
Suscitans A Terra
Ut Collocet Eum
Sit Nomen Domini
Gloria Patri
Sicut Erat In Principio
Salve Regina
Ad te Clamamus
Ad Te Suspiramus
Eia ergo Advocata
Et Jesum Benedictum
O Clemens, O Pia
Accende Laeta
Quam Pulchri
Sternite, Angeli
Gaude Mater Ecclesia
Vos Aurae Per Montes
Cuncta Orbis
Tellus, Astra
Alleluia
Gloria Patri (From Laudate Pueri)

Tracks:

Gloria In Excelsis Deo
Et In Terra Pax
Laudamus Te
Gratias Agimus Tibi
Propter Magnam Gloriam Tuam
Domine Deus, Rex Caelestis
Domine Fili Unigenite
domine Deus, Agnus Dei
Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi
Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris
Quoniam to Solus Sanctus
Cum Sancto Spiritu
Nisi Dominus Aedificaverit
Nisi Dominus Custodierit
Vanum Est Vobis
Cum Dederit
Sicut Sagittae
Beatus Vir
Gloria Patri
Sicut Erat In Prencipio
Ostro Picta
Sic Transiit
Linguis Favete
Gloria In Excelsis Deo
Et In Terra pax
Laudamus Te
Gratias Agimus Tibi
Domine Deus, Rex Caelestis
Domine Fili Unigenite
Domine Deus, Agnus Dei
Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi
Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris
Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus
Cum Sancto Spiritu

Average customer rating:

Could be a personal bias

Vivaldi: Sacred Music [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Joseph Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne [Hybrid SACD]
Mozart: Requiem in D Minor, K. 626 [Hybrid SACD with CD-ROM track of Mozart's Original Manuscript]

ASIN: B00030B916
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Album Description

Volume 1 of Vivaldi's complete sacred music features the impressive if less familiar of the two settings of the Gloria, RV 588, the second setting of the vespers psalm Dixit Dominus, and Nulla in mundo pax sincera, used with striking effect in the film Shine. With texts divided between soloists and chorus, both compositions bear all the hallmarks of Vivaldi's finest choral works: festive brilliance, dramatic changes of mood and texture, and passages of aching melancholy. Conductor Kevin Mallon founded the Aradia Ensemble in 1996, and has already made 20 highly regarded recordings with the group for Naxos.

Customer Reviews:

Could be a personal bias.......2007-01-15

Is it me, or are modern performances of Baroque music always inclined to be driven at much too high a tempo? This recording is symptomatic of this modern "disease." Not every single track suffers from this malady, but the joyous, usually quick tempo'd numbers are excessively so in my opinion, which annoys me. It's like a speed contest to finish the movement in the fastest time to date. Other than that, which I have returned CD's for in the past, a respectable recording.

Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus, RV 595; Gloria, RV 588; Nulla in mundo pax sincera

Average customer rating:

Glory be to God, for Vivaldi
Vivaldi's 'other' Dixit Dominus and his 'other' Gloria

Vivaldi: Dixit Dominus, RV 595; Gloria, RV 588; Nulla in mundo pax sincera

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Psalms | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00030B9E8
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

Dixit Dominus: Allegro
Donec Ponam Inimicos Tuos: Andante
Virgam Virtutis Tuae: Allegro
Tecum Principium: Allegro
Juravit Dominus: Largo - Presto
Dominus A Dextris Tuis: Allegro
Judicabit In Nationibus: Largo - Presto
De Torrente In Via Bibet: Largo
Gloria Patri: Andante
Sicut Erat In Principio: Allegro
Et In Saecula Saeculorum: (Allegro)
(Aria): Nulla In Mundo: Larghetto - Jane Archibald
Recitativo: Blando Colore - Jane Archibald
(Aria): Spirat Anguis: Allegro - Jane Archibald
Alleluia: (Allegro) - Jane Archibald
Jubilate, O Amoeni Chori: Allegro
Recitativo: In Tam Solemni Pompa
Sonoro Modulamine - I Gloria In Excelsis (RV 588): Allegro
II. Et In Terra Pax: Largo
III. Laudamus Te: Allegro
IV. Gratias Agimus Tibi: Adagio
V. Domine Deus, Rex Coelestis: Largo
V. I Domine, Fili Unigenite: (Allegro)
V. II Domine Deus, Agnus Dei: Allegro
V. III Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi: Adagio
IX. Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris: Largo
X. Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus: Allegro
XI. Cum Sancto Spiritu: Adagio - (Allegro)

Album Description

Customer Reviews:

Glory be to God, for Vivaldi.......2005-10-03

Nobody else but Vivaldi from
the opening notes of the
Dixit Dominus, to the
closing ones in the
"Cum Sancto Spiritus"
Vivaldi's musical style
of well specified.
Choral music from
the same great composer
who brought us "The Four Seasons".
Vivaldi's choral works
too are as highly regarded
as his most famous concerti.
In the Gloria we get a bonus,
there is an introductory "Jubilate"
that in the original is attached to
the RV 588 Gloria, that we do not
get with most recordings, but the
reason for this is that the
"Jubilate" can be played separate.
The Aradia Ensemble does a great
job, and the soloists sing wonderfully.
Mr. Mallon did a great job putting
all together...

Vivaldi's 'other' Dixit Dominus and his 'other' Gloria.......2005-01-09

Prolific as Vivaldi was, he seems to be represented in most people's minds by only a few works: 'The Four Seasons,' of course, a few others of the violin concerti and among his sacred vocal works the 'Gloria' in D major, RV 589 (with its familiar opening bouncing octaves on D) and the 'Dixit Dominus,' RV 594. Presented here, however, are the other surviving 'Gloria', RV 588, also in D major, and the rarely heard other 'Dixit Dominus,' RV 595. Confusing? Well, yes. It doesn't help that the RV numbers (Ryom-Verzeichnis, named for musicologist Peter Ryom) are contiguous in each case and thus easily mistaken for each other. It is a shame, though, that these alternative settings are not better known, and it was a brilliant idea for Kevin Mallon and his Aradia* Ensemble to put them together on a CD and, further, to give them sterling performances. I expect some buyers might obtain this CD thinking they were getting the better-known versions of 'Gloria' and 'Dixit Dominus.' Naxos makes it clear in the printed matter on the back of the CD that these are not those, but frankly even if a musiclover bought these by mistake he or she wouldn't be disappointed in the music itself, because these two lesser-known settings are every bit as good as their sister works. Indeed, in my opinion the second 'Gloria' is ultimately more satisfying because it is more subtle and also because in this presentation it is linked with a lightly scored introduction containing a da capo aria for contralto, 'Jubilate, o amoeni chori' ('Rejoice, fair choirs'), a B minor recitative, and another brief aria 'Sonoro modulamine' ('In sounding music') that then lead directly in the choir's jubilant 'Gloria in excelsis.' Nonetheless, this 'Gloria' partakes of the same joy and choral felicity as its sibling. High points include the minor-key 'Et in terra pax' with its descending scale motif with close imitation in the choral voices, against throbbing chords in the now-expanded orchestra. 'Laudamus te' is a duet for sopranos in joyous roulades in thirds. 'Domine deus, rex coelestis' is a spirited tenor solo. 'Domine, Fili unigenite' is a short choral fugue, just as it is in its better-known sister, and frankly it strikes me as having more satisfying counterpoint but, darn it, it's too brief! A plaintive oboe solo opens the soprano's aria, 'Domine Deus, Agnus Dei.' Then two oboes join in in the following choral 'Qui tollis.' These two linked movements are the sublime apex of the musical arc. Tension is released in a lilting contralto aria, 'Qui sedes ad dextram patris,' which is followed by the soprano's buoyant G major 'Quoniam tu solus sanctus.' We return to our home key of D major in the choral 'Cum Sancto Spirito,' which begins solemnly but then breaks into final fugue with baroque trumpet obbligato.

'Dixit Dominus,' a setting of the 109th Psalm ('The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand') is scored for five vocal soloists, five part chorus, two oboes, strings and continuo. It is partly celebratory and partly minatory ('The Lord ... shall wound even kings in the day of his wrath') and Vivaldi catches both aspects of this Vespers Psalm beautifully, weaving back and forth between the joyous and the sternly remonstrative. This 20-minute work is served well by Mallon and his marvelous Aradia Ensemble, which includes both instrumentalists and chorus. His vocal soloists are largely drawn from the chorus and there is not a weak one among them. They are Michelle de Boer, soprano; Anita Krause, mezzo; Peter Mahon, countertenor; Nils Brown, tenor; and Giles Tomkins, bass.

The only soloist from outside the chorus is Jane Archibald whose silvery and flexible soprano is heard not only in 'Dixit Dominus' and 'Gloria' but also in the extraordinarily beautiful (and new to me) motet for solo soprano, strings and continuo, 'Nulla in mundo pax sincera' ('In the world there is no real peace'), in which she charms with both her sweet tone and absolutely secure coloratura. It contains a gentle siciliano 'Nulla in mundo' that sounds as much like Handel as anything here; for some reason it reminds me of the opening chorus of his 'Solomon.' The text promises serenity in the world beyond. The following recitative and da capo aria warn that the blandishments of the world are false (with fiercesome fioriture) before returning to the hope of sacred peace, ending with an 'Alleluia.' This is a very fine piece and is done superbly by soloist and orchestra alike.

I've increasingly come to feel that the Aradia Ensemble has become one of the better baroque music groups in the world. I look forward to each of their releases.

Give yourself a present. Get this CD and learn some unfamiliar Vivaldi in marvelous performances.

Scott Morrison

*It's Aradia - not ArCadia. Aradia was Apollo's twin sister, daughter of Leto and Zeus, who was sent by the gods to teach humankind to transmute the music of the natural world into song.

Track Listings:

Track Listings

The Soul of B.B. King

Spectrum

View from the Top [Import]

Twist and Shout

Ultra-Lounge: Christmas Cocktails, Part One

Two Pianos Are Better Than One

Transcontinental [Enhanced]

Tough 'Duff

Too Much Too Young

Unmasked [Import]

This Is Not a Test! [Enhanced] [Explicit Lyrics]

The Other Part of Me

Mingus Plays Piano