Carissimi: Mass for Three Voices / Six Motets

Giacomo Carissimi (Composer), Consortium Carissimi (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Consortium Carissimi
• Composer: Giacomo Carissimi
• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Naxos
• ASIN: B00005COXV
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #321,900 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

From International Record Review - subscribe now

Since the death of Giacomo Carissimi (1606-74), his liturgical music – which includes over 100 motets (with as many again of doubtful authenticity) and a small handful of Masses – has received little attention. Eighteenth-century writers concentrated on his numerous secular cantatas, some even attributing the genre's invention to him. Today, we know Carissimi primarily as a sacred oratorio composer.The only previous Carissimi Mass recording I have heard is Le Istitutioni Harmoniche's disc of the Missa Sciolto havean dall'alte sponde (on Stradivarius). That work's deliberately archaic Roman 'colossal' style is very different from that of the Mass recorded here. Carissimi may have refused to apply for the recently deceased Monteverdi's post at St Mark's in 1643, but he was in many ways Monteverdi's artistic successor. Set for three voices and continuo, this Mass is in thoroughly seconda prattica style, alternating self-contained sections in learned counterpoint with free ariosos and, occasionally, passages in which the voices interweave nimbly over jaunty ciacconas and other ground basses. The accompanying six motets on exclusively Biblical texts sound more theatrical than liturgical in inspiration and may have been performed in similar circumstances to the oratorios.Consortium Carissimi consist of only a solo tenor, baritone and bass with a small continuo team. The very low pitch customary in early-seventeenth-century Rome obviates the need for any higher voices. The singing is remarkably attractive, combining minimal vibrato with a tonal flexibility and an agility perfect for the text-centred aesthetic of early-seventeenth-century music. I unreservedly recommend these beautiful, well-paced and finely fashioned performances. Christopher Price

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Two entirely different musical forms both well performed, December 14, 2002

By	R. Rockwell (Brooklyn, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Amazon Verified Purchase

Carissimi is predominantly known for his oratorios. The performance of his mass is beatifully done by Consortium Carissimi which consists of three male voice (two tenors and bass) as well as a basso continuo. This elegantly simple mass brougt tears to my eyes on many occasions. The addition of the instrument adds a level of poignancy to the mass which is most apparent in the Agnue Dei.
The motets included have a more song-like quality than other motets I have heard, aven though the texts are religious. They are very different from the mass yet equally beatiful.
Naxos has provided a detailed summary of Carissimi and his times which elucidate the listening.
As someone who has no musical education and who has not litened to other versions of the works, my comments are limited to what I exepience as a listener.
I do plan to buy the other Naxos Carissimi disc.