Dietrich Buxtehude, Theatre Of Voices, Paul Hillier - Scandinavian Cantatas
STYLE: Classical RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 103715- LABEL: Dacapo 6220534 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Steven Whitehead
This recording offers an unusual selection of Buxtehude's vocal music performed by the award winning sextet Theatre Of Voices conducted by Paul Hillier. Among these rarely heard works with texts in Swedish and Latin, we find cantatas in the form of virtuoso concertos, as well as arias and chorale settings and Buxtehude's only work in the stile antico, the "Missa alla brevis." Dietrich Buxtehude (c 1637-1707) was born in a Danish town that is now Swedish but spent most of his professional life in northern Germany where he was visited by many aspiring musicians, including J S Bach and G F Handel. One can hear echoes of Buxtehude's work in both of these august admirers although we should assess the older man in his own context rather than subjecting him to comparisons that few could withstand. Buxtehude's claim to fame in his lifetime was as an organist but, of course, all we can use to form a judgement today are the words of those who actually heard him. If Bach thought he was worth a listen then who am I to argue? This disc does include two organ solos, "Praeludium In E Minor" and "Passacaglia In D Minor", both expertly played by Bine Bryndorf. The vocal music is melodious and sung with verve by Theatre Of Voices with appropriate string accompaniment from The TOV Band, again a sextet. The sound quality is noteworthy and the booklet notes informative. All in all, this is an excellent introduction to the work of a relatively obscure composer.
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