Customer Reviews

Carissimi: Judicium Extremum / Jepthe / Jonas

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Exquisite recordings of these three early 'oratorios' by Carissimi. I put oratorio in scare quotes just in case visions of Handel spring up. Indeed, even comparing Carissimi's works with his, rough (in more ways than one!), contemporary, Stradella, would be mistaken as none of the works here last more than half an hour. Indeed, in his masterful Jepthe, the narrative is essentially one compressed scene from the (paraphrased) Biblical text. Which gives it all a wonderful concentration, making the lament of Jepthe's daughter ('Plorate colles') all the more emotionally crushing.

Look about also for the two Naxos cds of Carrisimi.

Finding Carissimi is never easy at a music store. However, I tried this particular CD right before a classical store went out of business. Interesting music from a period that is often ignored, music of the mid to late 1600's.

Carissimi had his sphere of influence, most notably with Marc Antoine Charpentier who would produce many of the most profound works from the French Baroque. Carissimi's works are fresh and interesting, most effective when at their most serene.

The last chorus of the Jepthe really made this album for me. One of the most relaxing and serene pieces of music I have ever listened to. I recommend this album if you can find it.