Vivaldi: Sacred Music, Vol. 10 [Import]

Antonio Vivaldi (Composer), Giovanni Maria Ruggieri (Composer), Robert King (Conductor), Joyce DiDonato (Performer), Tuva Semmingsen (Performer), King's Consort (Orchestra), Silas Standage (Performer), Carolyn Sampson (Performer), Joanne Lunn (Performer), Julie Cooper (Performer), Cecilia Osmond (Performer), Angharad Gruffydd Jones (Performer), Elizabeth Poole (Performer), Daniel Auchincloss (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Joyce DiDonato, Tuva Semmingsen, Silas Standage, Carolyn Sampson, Joanne Lunn, et al.
• Orchestra: King's Consort
• Conductor: Robert King
• Composer: Antonio Vivaldi, Giovanni Maria Ruggieri
• Audio CD (March 9, 2004)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Hyperion UK
• ASIN: B0001B0A7G
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #267,960 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Gloria In Excelsis Deo

2. Et In Terra Pax

3. Laudamus Te

4. Gratias Agimus Tibi

5. Propter Magnam Gloriam Tuam

6. Domine Deus, Rex Coelestis

7. Domine Fili Unigenite

8. Domine Deus, Agnus Dei

9. Qui Tollis Peccata Mundi

10. Qui Sedes Ad Dexteram Patris

11. Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus

12. Cum Sancto Spiritu

13. Nisi Dominus Aedificaverit

14. Nisi Dominus Custodierit

15. Vanum Est Vobis

16. Cum Dederit

17. Sicut Sagittae

18. Beatus Vir

19. Gloria Patri

20. Sicut Erat In Principio

See all 34 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stellar conclusion to a great series, December 14, 2004

By 

John K. Gayley (Physically in Wilmette, IL; Mentally in Siena, Italy) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Vivaldi: Sacred Music, Vol. 10 (Audio CD)

This the 10th and final CD in a survey of Vivaldi's sacred choral music. It takes maybe a wee bit of cheek to release the most famous piece, the Gloria RV 589, as part of the last CD in the series. However, the wait is worthwhile. A wonderful rendition. Aptly timed and well executed. The soloists are perfect.

Additionally, there are two other bits that are worth noting (and buying): a recently discovered "nisi dominus" by Vivaldi that's both powerful and delightful in equal measure, and finally (to round off the series)..a guest appearance! A setting of the Gloria from Giovanni Ruggieri, an older contemporary of Vivaldi's that Michael Talbott and Robert King suggest was an early and clear influence on Vivaldi as he wrote his own works (listen to it...sounds like it influenced Handel too.)This is a great piece in its own right and is tremendously played by yon King et al. Great addition.

There may be more "representative" CDs from this series that beter display the breadth of Vivaldi's sacred works, but if you're looking for just one (and are aiming for the famous Gloria at the same time) this is a fantastic place to start. All in all, the sort of quality one comes to expect from King's Consort. Can't wait to see what comes next from them.

5.0 out of 5 stars Vivaldi's Music For the Ages...Performed Heavenly, January 6, 2011

By 

David J. Friedlander "Play it with heart" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Vivaldi: Sacred Music, Vol. 10 (Audio CD)

Vivaldi is unfairly maligned far too often and even once famously by Stravinsky. Don't fall for it. It is true that "The Four Seasons" are played and overplayed on classical radio, concert halls and even on TV commercials. Forget about that and the baggage that goes with it. The best of Vivaldi's sacred choral music is the equal of any composer and the main piece on this disc, the Gloria RV589 is his crown jewel. The inventive and rich harmonies, offset by beautiful string baroque filagree will stay with the alert listener forever. From the first notes, the listener knows he is in for something extra special and deeply profound. I know Bach is the king of musical geniuses but there is nothing that reaches the immediacy found in the georgeous rising and lifting harmonies in the opening movement. The insistance and instant impact of the music will grab you by your whole being and carry you aloft with its heavenly sounds. The 2nd movement "Et in terra pax" is a timeless beauty of another kind. It is a blend of gentleness and pathos that can easily bring tears to anyone with the slightest bit of sensitivity. (It was used as the final music of the cult hit movie "Runaway Train", a brilliant co-opting.) Vivaldi offsets the music that follows brilliantly from piece to piece, keeping the beauties flowing in a most fetching manner. There are 12 movements in all and Vivaldi shares similar music and motives throughout giving the work unity and helping to create its strong identity.

The singers on the recording are excellent plus. No one oversings or attempts to show off and the blend is very lovely. Vivaldi wrote the music for all female singers and that gives a sublime lightness that is caught very well here. Robert King leads with precision and just the right amount of bounce to move the proceedings along without any sense of rush. The instrumentalists are all right on everywhere, on top of their game throughout. The sound is usual Hyperion impeccable perfection and you won't suffer any fatigue listening to the sweet blend achieved here. The Gloria isn't the only music on the disc and Vivaldi isn't even the only composer! A shorter setting of the Gloria by a Vivaldi influence, Ruggieri, is found at the end of the disc. There are also two other works, Nisi Dominus RV803 and Ostro Picta RV 642 by Vivaldi here. These are for solo singers with orchestra and not timeless masterpieces like the Gloria. Nevertheless they show Vivaldi's range and seemingly endless ability to find creative ways to juxtapose running melodies with interesting accompanyment, much in the same manner that it is exhibited throughout his prolific concerto output.

For fans of Vivaldi's music, this is a must have. The Gloria is his crowning vocal creation and by any means should not be missed. This version is excellent, done by a group that has surveyed the entire existing sacred vocal music of the Italian master. The experience they have gained throughout the 10 CD set is summed up here, saving best for last. I believe if you buy this and put it on your player, you will be greatly moved and realize you have landed on one of the great masterpieces of music ever written.