The Tyrol (Tirol) seems a favourite venue for this series of
Musical Journeys. Neither the photographic nor the musical content
here must be confused with that of Naxos DVD 2.110303
of the same title. The latter focuses on Brixen City,
its Cathedral and Bishop’s Palace as well as visiting
Thurnstein Castle, Brunnburg, the church at Gratsch, Tirol Castle
along with its Chapel. These visits were made to the music of
two of Mozart’s piano Concertos (see review). Nor must this issue be confused with the similar titled
Musical tour of the Southern Tyrol (Naxos DVD 2.110539)
focusing on Schloss Velthurns and Schloss Runkelstein and also
accompanied by music by Mozart (see review).
As this DVD points out, and as I did when writing about the
previous discs in somewhat more detail, the South Tyrol, in
Northern Italy, has a varied history. For many years it was
part of the Austro-Hungarian Hapsburg Empire. The region remains
largely German-speaking as the place names often indicate and
although both German and Italian are used.
The Tyrol itself was an historic state of Europe. It is now
a state within western Austria and has northern and western
regions separated by the state of Salzburg. However, what was
the southern part of the Tyrol in the Hapsburg Empire is now
a province of the Italian region of Trentino and is commonly
referred to as the Southern Tyrol. It was ceded to Italy by
the Treaties of Versailles in 1919 in the aftermath of the First
World War, Italy having joined in on the victorious allied side,
albeit a little late in the day. It was the same treaty that
returned Alsace and Lorraine to the French who had lost them
to Germany following the war in 1870.
This issue opens with spectacular views, including mountains,
valleys, lakes and countryside including the vineyards. A superimposed
raptor is seen riding the thermals. The visuals are accompanied
by Handel concerti grossi, a format popular in its day and well
performed here by the Capella Istropolitana conducted with appropriate
contrasting vitality and élan as befits many of the landscapes.
The images vary in interest with prolonged viewing of the interior
of the Church of St. Jakob (CH.1) becoming boring despite its
ornately decorated ceiling and wall frescoes. The following
two chapters concern Bozen (Bolzano). Either by accident or
design the booklet repeats the same programme note by Keith
Andrew for both. The note mentions that Bozen became the property
of the Hapsburgs in 1363. After its ceding to Italy attempts
were made by Mussolini to introduce more Italians into the area.
The two Chapters show the contrasting churches and the town
by night and the good string playing helps the mood. The photography
of the dawn is impressive too with the dense cloud over the
valley and town.
The concluding section (CH.4) shows some of the distinctive
architecture manifested in the fine houses around Eppan. We
also track the road through this extensive wine and apple growing
area. Some elegant furniture and carvings, including magnificent
carved doors are also seen and are a complement to views of
a local market and produce, including Moscato grapes.
Robert J Farr
The music heard here is taken from four Concerti Grossi by
George Frideric Handel (1685-1759) performed by Capella Istropolitana/Josef
Kopelman from Naxos 8.550158
[56.29]
