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ANTONIO LOTTI: Requiem in F major, Miserere, Credo.  Balthasar Neumann Choir, Balthasar Neumann Ensemble Thomas Hengelbrock Deutsche Harmonia Mundi 05472 77507 2 69m DDD

 


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This disc is representative of a lost generation of composers whose wonderfully inventive music lies forgotten only to be resurrected recently to great critical acclaim. Antonio Lotti held positions of importance during his lifetime and there is no doubt that he was highly regarded in important European musical circles such as Leipzig and Venice. There however the details end as no records have survived to clarify Lotti's achievements and work during his life. What is definite is that his work was outstandingly proficient and highly innovative as this heavenly Requiem demonstrates.

In it Lotti employs the usual traditionalist Baroque techniques but the way the voices are projected is uncanny and way ahead of its time. The Dies Irae contains some powerful declamations especially in the 'Confutatis maledictis' and the beautifully alive 'Liber scriptus'. All is powerfully handled by the Balthasar Neumann Choir and Ensemble under the able hands of Thomas Hengelbrock who directs with commitment and passion throughout. The instrumentalisation in the Requiem is quite disarming with rapturous solos here and there adding concertante and ripieno effects, striking harmonic ambience and shattering drama in the concluding pages.

Hengelbrock also finds room for the short but striking 'Miserere', a beautiful study in sustained harmonics and the longer Credo, a spellbinding combination of dissonanaces superbly performed by the choir. All three works demand a special place in the sacred repertoire and I can think of no better advocate to this marvelous music than Thomas Hengelbrock and his outstanding Balthasar Neumann Ensemble and Choir. The conductor also writes the short notes which espouse on the legend and curriculum of Lotti's life work. Almost like an Atlantis of baroque music this Requiem should open the gates so let's hope that more Lotti will resurface in the years to come.

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:



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