The King'S Consort, Robert King - Zelenka: Sacred Music (2003)

Tracklist

01. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: I. Kyrie I
02. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: II. Kyrie II
03. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: III. Pater de caelis
04. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: IV. Praecelsum et admirabile
05. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: V. Panis omnipotentia
06. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: VI. Spiritualis dulcedo
07. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: VII. Propitius esto
08. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: VIII. Ab indigna corporis
09. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: IX. Peccatores, te rogamus
10. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: X. Fili Dei, te rogamus
11. Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento, ZWV 147: XI. Agnus Dei
12. Regina caeli laetare, ZWV 134
13. Salve Regina, mater misericordiae, ZWV 135: I. Salve Regina, mater misericordiae
14. Salve Regina, mater misericordiae, ZWV 135: II. Ad te clamamus
15. Salve Regina, mater misericordiae, ZWV 135: III. Eia ergo advocata
16. Salve Regina, mater misericordiae, ZWV 135: IV. Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui
17. Salve Regina, mater misericordiae, ZWV 135: V. Ostende, o clemens
18. Officium defunctorum, ZWV 47: Nocturno I: Lectio 1
19. Officium defunctorum, ZWV 47: Nocturno I: Lectio 2
20. Officium defunctorum, ZWV 47: Nocturno I: Lectio 3
21. Officium defunctorum, ZWV 47: Invitatorium: Antiphona et Psalmus "Regem cui omnia vivunt"

Continuing their acclaimed series of 'Bach's Contemporaries', The King's Consort and Robert King turn their attention to the astonishing sacred music of the remarkable Bohemian composer Jan Dismas Zelenka.

Colourful, complex, ornate, idiosyncratic, old-fashioned yet simultaneously forward-looking, Zelenka's music never ceases to amaze. This recording presents wonderfully varied and individual works. Two are substantial choral pieces: the Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento shows Zelenka's more conventional, old-fashioned style of writing, yet the splendidly individual Invitatorium 'Regem, cui omnia vivunt' gives a powerful impression of Zelenka’s choral style in a unique fusion of modern, dramatic gestures of harmony, dynamics and scoring. Also part of the same Officium defunctorum were the three Lessons, which Zelenka scored for chamber forces. Here, instrumental colour in all its variety is to the fore, with the desolate texts enhanced by rare orchestral sounds including the soprano chalumeau, recorders and even muted oboes. Quirky in its orchestration too is the setting for soprano of Salve regina in A minor where Zelenka's accompaniment is shared by concertante flute, oboe, violin and a larger ensemble in a substantial solo motet, gloriously sung by Carolyn Sampson. The final work too is a delight, with the vocal scoring of Regina caeli laetare reserved for three upper voices who sing in true 'close harmony'.

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