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Johann Michael HAYDN (1737-1806) Vocal and Instrumental Works Missa Tempore Quadragesimae (MH553) [14:21] Symphony in E flat (MH340/P17) [14:36] Ave Regina (MH140) [10:46] Divertimento in A (MH299/P121) [16:23] Responsoria ad Matutinum in Nativitate Domini (MH639)
[11:49]
Ex Tempore/Florian
Heyerick (140, 553, 639), Academia Palatina (340), Marcolini
Quartett (299)
rec. September, October, November 2006, SRC Steurbaut, Ghent,
Belgium (140, 299, 553, 639); September 2006, Kirche St.
Maria, Schwetzingen, Germany (340) ETCETERA
KTC4020 [67:58]
Being the son of a famous father isn't
easy as Johann Sebastian Bach's sons and Domenico Scarlatti knew
all too well. But being
the brother of a famous composer isn't easy either. Not that
Johann Michael seems to have had any problems with that,
as he was apparently a very modest character who liked to
stay out of the limelight. It is this which could explain
the fact that so few of his compositions were published during
his lifetime. But this modesty, in combination with the fame
of his brother Franz Joseph, had a long-term effect on his
reputation and the performance – or rather lack of it – of
his oeuvre. Considering the fact that he was a man of high
reputation, and was much admired by Mozart and Schubert suggests
this neglect is unjustified. The problem is that people often
expect the same from any composer: compositions which have
a lasting influence on the course of music history. Johann
Michael Haydn's compositions had not. But when one brings
down one's expectations to a more reasonable level, and understands
the primary function of music – especially religious music – at
the time, there is a lot to enjoy. It seems nowadays that
more and more performers are aware of the quality of Johann
Michael's output; in recent years several recordings of his
works have been released.
The present disc is a kind of overview of Johann Michael Haydn's
music. It contains three sacred works - the core of his compositional
output - as well as two instrumental works: a symphony, and
a string quartet which Haydn called a 'divertimento'.
Most of his life was spent working in Salzburg. The setting of the Ave
Regina is an early work from Salzburg written for double
choir in the 'stile antico'. This reflects the influence
of Johann Josef Fux, who was working at the Austrian imperial
court and was famous for his treatise on counterpoint.
The two other works are from a much later date. They were
written in the 1790s when Johann Michael worked in Salzburg
under archbishop Colloredo. His radical liturgical reforms
caused a split with Mozart, but Haydn stayed at his post
and made the most of it. Colloredo wanted liturgical music
to be rather short and not too complicated and virtuosic,
and that is exactly what these two compositions are. They
are predominantly homophonic, and avoid solo passages.
That doesn't mean that this music is for easy listening:
there is enough variety to keep the listener's attention,
and Haydn doesn't ignore text expression. The best example
is the setting of the 'Crucifixus' from the Mass, which
contains some very strong dissonance.
The choir sings the vocal works admirably, with the appropriate light
touch, but without overlooking the more expressive passages.
The instrumentalists give good support: basso continuo in
the Mass, with two additional violins in the Responsoria.
Only part of the text of these Responsoria is sung. I can't
figure out whether Haydn's settings are performed in part
here or whether the booklet gives a longer text than Haydn
has set.
The symphony is a very nice work to listen to. It is difficult
to understand why a piece has not joined the standard repertoire
of chamber orchestras, not even period instrument ensembles.
It is to be hoped that one day that will change. Equally
good is the divertimento, which is certainly no worse than
many other string quartets from the classical period. Both
the Academia Palatina and the Marcolini Quartet – consisting
of members of Concerto Köln – give lively and colourful performances.
It is a shame that the symphony has been recorded in a church,
whereas the other works have been recorded in the studio.
In regard to acoustics I would have liked it to be the other
way round, as the symphony suffers a little from the too
large reverberation.
The booklet contains a good essay on Johann Michael, in which
Florian Heyerick puts the man and his music in their proper
historical
context. His disc is certainly for those music lovers who
are willing to open their ears to music which didn't – and
doesn't - shake the world.
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