Album covers
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Jan Ladislav Dussek: Messe Solemnelle
Released 2 Oct 2020, AAM Records is delighted to present the world-premiere recording of JL Dussek’s long-neglected Messe Solemnelle, performed by an exceptional cast of young soloists alongside the Academy of Ancient Music, Choir of AAM and music director Richard Egarr. The product of extensive research begun when Egarr happened upon the work languishing in a Florentine library, this recording presents a new scholarly edition prepared by Reinhard Seigert and stands as a fitting tribute to a composer who deserve far greater recognition. Academy of Ancient Music’s mission is to explore, reveal and preserve great works of the baroque and classical eras, and a spirit of newfound discovery runs through all that we do. This recording of JL Dussek’s Messe Solemnelle represents an important step in this journey. Academy of Ancient Music Choir of the AAM Richard Egarr Stefanie True soprano Helen Charlston mezzo-soprano Gwilym Bowen tenor Morgan Pearse bass-baritone Gramophone Choral Award 2021 Winner
"..a fascinating work and an important project, impressively recorded, exquisitely presented and enthusiastically recommended". Gramophone Classical Music Awards 2021 "Dussek himself could scarcely have hoped for a performance as fine as this one, with the Academy of Ancient Music on top form, a well-drilled choir of 20 clearly in thrall to Egarr’s infectious enthusiasm for the work and four finely matched soloists imparting plenty of personality. The presentation, too, is worthy of the evangelical nature of the project … It’s a fascinating work and an important project, impressively recorded, exquisitely presented and enthusiastically recommended." Gramophone
"When superior musical execution meets highest musical scholarship, angels cry with joy... this is vital, bracing music, but also music of great beauty." Classical Explorer "The Academy of Ancient Music’s new recording of Dussek’s Messe Solemnelle shines a much-deserved light on this magnificent work and its creator … from beginning to end, the care and attention they give to every musical subtlety and nuance breathes life into this newly discovered work, inviting listeners to embark on a journey of their own to discover Dussek and his Messe Solemnelle for themselves." The Whole Note |
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Handel: Brockes-Passion
This album is perhaps the most definitive guide to this astonishing work yet published, celebrating the 300th anniversary of Handel’s great Brockes-Passion: a long-neglected masterpiece by this most brilliant composer, from a libretto by his friend, one of Germany’s leading poets. The culmination of two years of scholarly research by a team of scholars and musicologists from the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, King’s College London, Open University and more, working alongside Music Director Richard Egarr and editor Leo Duarte. Consulting 15 manuscript sources from 11 collections in 5 countries, this is the most substantial edition of this work yet, including as appendices extra movements and Charles Jennens’ partial English translation in their world premiere recordings. A deluxe 220-page album booklet accompanies this release, featuring new contemporary artworks inspired by Handel’s Brockes-Passion, full notes, the first contemporary publication of the original Kurrentschrift text alongside the modern German libretto, a brand new English translation, several additional articles, details of the other composers’ take on Brockes’ visceral libretto, and much more. The Academy of Ancient Music and the Choir of AAM recorded this new release around a 300th anniversary performance on Good Friday 2019 at London’s Barbican Hall. “A gruesomely graphic work to break Bach’s monopoly… Full marks to the Academy of Ancient Music for coming forward with the rarely performed Brockes Passion…” – Financial Times “The AAM soloists and instrumentalists communicated the musical drama and feeling with compelling commitment and power.” – Opera Today “Handel’s Passion… has an earthiness, an urgency to its telling.. With a recording from the same forces shortly to be released and [Leo] Duarte’s edition as a jumping-off point, will further performances follow? I certainly hope so.” – The Arts Desk |