Zelenka: Missa Sancti Spiritus - Litanie di Vergine Maria - Jan Dismas Zelenka

Dive into the rich Baroque era with Jan Dismas Zelenka's "Missa Sancti Spiritus - Litanie di Vergine Maria," a captivating exploration of sacred choral music. This album, released on February 14, 2022, under the Nibiru label, showcases Zelenka's mastery of composition, offering a profound and spiritually uplifting experience.

The album features two of Zelenka's most celebrated works: the "Missa Sancti Spiritus, ZWV 4" and the "Litanie di Vergine Maria, ZWV 149." The "Missa Sancti Spiritus" is a stunning example of Zelenka's ability to blend intricate polyphony with expressive melody, while the "Litanie di Vergine Maria" offers a series of beautifully crafted litanies dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Performed by the renowned Ensemble Inegal, this recording brings together a talented group of musicians and soloists who breathe new life into Zelenka's compositions. The ensemble's commitment to historical performance practices ensures an authentic and immersive listening experience.

With a total duration of 1 hour and 4 minutes, this album is a testament to Zelenka's enduring legacy and his significant contributions to the Baroque musical canon. Whether you are a seasoned enthusiast of Baroque music or a newcomer to the genre, this album promises a rewarding and enlightening journey through the sacred music of Jan Dismas Zelenka.

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.