Immerse yourself in the resplendent sounds of the Baroque era with La Cetra Barockorchester Basel's exquisite rendition of Claudio Monteverdi's "Vespro di Natale / Christmas Vespers." This double album, released on Deutsche Grammophon, is a captivating journey through the festive compositions of Monteverdi and his contemporaries, recorded in the acoustically rich church of Santa Caterina in Treviso.
Under the skilled direction of Andrea Marcon, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel and La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel bring to life a vibrant and colorful Baroque Christmas Vespers. The album features a stunning reconstruction of works from various printed anthologies, presenting a Vespers service that might have been heard in Venice during the Christmas period of Monteverdi's tenure as maestro di cappella at St Mark’s.
The album spans a rich and varied repertoire, including Monteverdi's iconic "Vespro della Beata Vergine," along with works by Giovanni Gabrieli, Alessandro Grandi, Francesco Usper, and Giovanni Valentini. From the opening "Deus in adiutorium" to the triumphant "Cantate Domino a 6," each track is performed with meticulous attention to historical detail and musical virtuosity.
With a duration of 1 hour and 35 minutes, this album is a comprehensive exploration of Baroque vocal and instrumental music, showcasing the ensemble's mastery of the period's styles and techniques. Whether you're a seasoned enthusiast of Baroque music or a newcomer to the genre, this recording offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
Vespro della Beata Vergine, SV 206: Deus in adiutorium - Domine ad adiuvandumClaudio Monteverdi, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Intonatione del primo tonoGiovanni Gabrieli, Giulio De Nardo
Selva morale e spirituale: Psalm 109: Dixit Dominus II, SV 264Claudio Monteverdi, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Motetti a due voci: O felix, o lucidissima noxAlessandro Grandi, Alice Borciani, Matthias Lucht, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, Andrea Marcon
Intonatione dell'undicesimo tonoGiovanni Gabrieli, Giulio De Nardo
Selva morale e spirituale: Psalm 110: Confitebor tibi, Domine III (alla francese), SV 267Claudio Monteverdi, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Compositioni armoniche, Op. 3: Sonata a 8 con quattro sopraniFrancesco Usper, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, Andrea Marcon
Intonatione del quinto tonoGiovanni Gabrieli, Giulio De Nardo
Selva morale e spirituale: Psalm 111: Beatus vir I, SV 268Claudio Monteverdi, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Motetti a due voci: O intemerataAlessandro Grandi, William Shelton, Carlos Mena, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, Andrea Marcon
Intonatione del secondo tonoGiovanni Gabrieli, Giulio De Nardo
Selva morale e spirituale: Psalm 112: Laudate pueri II, SV 271Claudio Monteverdi, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Venite, sitientes, ad aquas Domini, SV 335Claudio Monteverdi, Francesca Cassinari, Alice Borciani, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, Andrea Marcon
Intonatione del ottavo tonoGiovanni Gabrieli, Giulio De Nardo
Selva morale e spirituale: Psalm 116: Laudate Dominum I, SV 270Claudio Monteverdi, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Canzoni et sonate (1615): Sonata XVIII a 14Giovanni Gabrieli, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, Andrea Marcon
Selva morale e spirituale, SV 280: Hymnus: Christe redemptor omniumClaudio Monteverdi, Alice Borciani, Francesca Cassinari, Carlos Mena, Ivo Haun de Oliveira, Csongor Szántó, Guglielmo Buonsanti, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Hodie Christus natus estGiovanni Valentini, Carlos Mena, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Intonatione del nono tonoGiovanni Gabrieli, Giulio De Nardo
Selva morale e spirituale: Magnificat I, SV 281Claudio Monteverdi, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
Intonatione del decimo tonoGiovanni Gabrieli, Giulio De Nardo
Cantate Domino a 6, SV 293Claudio Monteverdi, La Cetra Barockorchester Basel, La Cetra Vocalensemble Basel, Andrea Marcon
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