Zelenka: Missa Sancti Josephi; De Profundis; In Exitu Israel

Immerse yourself in the profound and captivating world of Jan Dismas Zelenka with this exquisite collection of sacred works. This album showcases Zelenka's mastery of Baroque composition, featuring his renowned Missa Sancti Josephi, a mass composed in 1732 that uniquely incorporates the operatic style of Johann Adolf Hasse. The Missa Sancti Josephi, with its intricate scoring for four voices, is a testament to Zelenka's innovative approach and unmistakable individuality.

Complementing the Missa Sancti Josephi are two stunning psalm settings: De Profundis (ZWV 50) and In Exitu Israel (ZWV 84). These works, performed with the same level of virtuosity and attention to detail, offer a comprehensive exploration of Zelenka's sacred choral repertoire.

The album boasts an impressive ensemble of performers, including the renowned soprano Julia Lezhneva, countertenor Daniel Taylor, and the Stuttgart Chamber Choir, all under the skilled direction of Frieder Bernius. The Barockorchester Stuttgart provides a rich and authentic accompaniment, ensuring a performance that is both historically informed and musically compelling.

Recorded in 2018 and released by Carus, this album spans 57 minutes of exquisite music, meticulously crafted and beautifully executed. Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast of Baroque music or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.

Jan Dismas Zelenka, born in the small Bohemian town of Louňovice pod Blaníkem in 1679, is a Baroque composer whose music has only recently begun to receive the widespread acclaim it deserves. Often hailed as the "Czech Bach," Zelenka's compositions are celebrated for their harmonic inventiveness and masterful counterpoint. Raised by an organist father, Zelenka's musical education began at the Prague Jesuit College and continued in Vienna. His professional life was spent in Dresden, where he served as a principal double-bass player and composer for the Saxon court. Zelenka's output is predominantly sacred, reflecting his deep religious fervor, and includes masses, requiems, oratorios, and various liturgical works. His music, characterized by its adventurous harmonies and intricate polyphony, has seen a remarkable resurgence in the last few decades, captivating audiences and musicians alike. Today, festivals dedicated to his work, such as the Podblanický hudební podzim and the international Zelenka Festival Prague, celebrate his enduring legacy.