Immerse yourself in the profound and sacred musical traditions with John Eliot Gardiner's latest album, "Sacred Music," released on February 3, 2023, under Warner Classics. This extraordinary collection spans over two hours and thirteen minutes, featuring a diverse array of choral, classical, and operatic masterpieces that showcase the timeless beauty of sacred music.
The album is a testament to Gardiner's unparalleled expertise and his ability to bring together the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists to deliver performances of unmatched depth and reverence. The tracklist includes iconic works by composers such as Purcell, Scarlatti, Bach, Handel, and Berlioz, among others. Each piece is meticulously chosen to create a cohesive and spiritually uplifting experience.
Highlights include Handel's powerful "Dixit Dominus" and "Israel in Egypt," Bach's moving "Komm, Jesu, komm" and "Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden," and the hauntingly beautiful "Stabat Mater" by Scarlatti. The album also features lesser-known gems like Clemens non Papa's "O Maria, vernans rosa" and Campra's "Messe de requiem," adding depth and variety to the collection.
John Eliot Gardiner, a renowned conductor with a career spanning over six decades, brings his unique insight and passion to this album. Known for his dynamic interpretations and commitment to historical performance practices, Gardiner's leadership elevates each piece to new heights. His collaboration with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists ensures a performance that is both authentic and deeply moving.
"Sacred Music" is not just an album; it is a journey through the rich tapestry of sacred music, offering a moment of reflection and inspiration. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises to captivate and enrich your listening experience.
Purcell: Funeral Sentences: Thou Know'st, Lord, Z. 58CHenry Purcell, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists
Scarlatti, D: Stabat Mater in C Minor: V. Sancta Mater, istud agasDomenico Scarlatti, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists, The Monteverdi Choir
Scarlatti, D: Stabat Mater in C Minor: VI. Fac me vere tecum flereDomenico Scarlatti, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists, The Monteverdi Choir
Scarlatti, D: Stabat Mater in C Minor: VII. Juxta crucemDomenico Scarlatti, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists
Scarlatti, D: Stabat Mater in C Minor: VIII. InflammatusDomenico Scarlatti, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists, The Monteverdi Choir
Bach, JS: Nun ist das Heil und die Kraft, BWV 50Johann Sebastian Bach, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists, The Monteverdi Choir
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: I. Dixit Dominus, Domino meoGeorge Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, Charles Brett, Felicity Palmer, John Angelo Messana, The Monteverdi Choir, Monteverdi Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: IV. Juravit DominusGeorge Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, Monteverdi Orchestra
Handel: Dixit Dominus, HWV 232: VII. De torrente in via bibetGeorge Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, Felicity Palmer, Margaret Marshall, The Monteverdi Choir, Monteverdi Orchestra
Blow: Salvator mundiJohn Blow, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists
Carissimi: Jonas: "Et imperavit Dominus pisci"Giacomo Carissimi, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner, Lucinda Houghton, The Monteverdi Choir
Carissimi: Jephte: "Plorate colles"Giacomo Carissimi, English Baroque Soloists, John Eliot Gardiner, Gillian Ross, Ruth Holton, Susan Hemington Jones
Gesualdo: Sacrarum cantionum liber primus a 5: No. 3, Ave dulcissima MariaCarlo Gesualdo, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir
Campra: Messe de requiem: I. IntroïtAndré Campra, John Eliot Gardiner, Jean-Claude Orliac, The Monteverdi Choir, Stephen Roberts, Wynford Evans, English Baroque Soloists
Campra: Messe de requiem: V. SanctusAndré Campra, John Eliot Gardiner, Dinah Harris, Judith Nelson, The Monteverdi Choir, Stephen Roberts, English Baroque Soloists
Berlioz: L'enfance du Christ, Op. 25, H 130, Pt. 2: "Il s'en va loin de la terre" (Chœur)Hector Berlioz, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, Orchestre de l'Opéra de Lyon
Massenet: La Vierge, Pt. 4: Le dernier sommeil de la ViergeJules Massenet, John Eliot Gardiner, Orchestre National de l'Opéra de Monte-Carlo
Cavalli: Salve ReginaFrancesco Cavalli, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists
Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54: Overture. Lamentations of the Israelites for the Death of JosephGeorge Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, Monteverdi Orchestra
Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54: Air with Chorus. "And the children of Israel"George Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, Christopher Royall, The Monteverdi Choir, Monteverdi Orchestra
Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54: Chorus. "He sent a thick darkness"George Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, Monteverdi Orchestra
Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54: Chorus. "But as for his people"George Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, Monteverdi Orchestra
Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54: Duet. "The Lord is a man of war"George Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, Charles Stewart, Stephen Varcoe, Monteverdi Orchestra
Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54: Chorus. "And with the blast of thy nostrils"George Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, Monteverdi Orchestra
Handel: Israel in Egypt, HWV 54: Air. "The enemy said, I will pursue"George Frideric Handel, John Eliot Gardiner, William Kendall, Monteverdi Orchestra
Purcell: Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes, Z. 135Henry Purcell, John Eliot Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists, John Tomlinson, Maldwyn Davies, The Monteverdi Choir
Bach, JS: Komm, Jesu, komm, BWV 229Johann Sebastian Bach, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists
Bach, JS: Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden, BWV 230Johann Sebastian Bach, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir, English Baroque Soloists
Clemens non Papa: O Maria, vernans rosaJacob Clemens non Papa, John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir