Customer Reviews

Zelenka: Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis

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"Holy Trinity Mass, Batman!"

"Yes, Robin, absolutely correct, this is the Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis... a beautiful late work of the relatively neglected baroque composer, Jan Dismas Zelenka, written in 1736--- just years before his death in Dresden. I'm happy to see you remember. Quite moving in its genuine religious expression and depth, isn't it?"

"Golly, Batman, its chromatic profundity and contrapuntal techniques are even more astounding on second hearing, and not at all academically pedagogical, perfunctorily liturgical or redundantly repetitive!"

"On target, Robin! Notice, as well, how forward-looking the melodic development is. Sounds rather Mozartian in many instances, doesn't it? For example, the opening Kyrie I and the Sanctus, especially. And listen to the glorious lilting Benedictus. Could be taken easily for Handel."

"Wow, Batman, the parallels and similarities are staggering! Zelenka must have given old Bach a run for his money, too, huh?"

"Quite possibly, Robin. The concentrated musical and compositional efforts certainly seem to equal Bach, I should say. There is a wealth of spirit here that is undeniable."

"Jeepers, Batman, and Zelenka has even adapted the typical five elements of the baroque mass--- you know, the Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus and Agnus Dei that we've discussed--- and divided them into nineteen gorgeous, moving set pieces! This seems very inventive to me."

"Yes, Robin, Zelenka was ahead of his time, and he has left us a work rich in ornamentation, style, lyricism, complexity and grace, yet accessible to all who love music, and soothing and easy on the ear. Zelenka was no drudge, Robin. This is certain; he was an innovator. It's important to keep this in mind."

"I sure will, Batman. And this CD performed by the Marburg Baroque Ensemble, under Wolfram Wehnert, is superb and beautifully recorded, too! Have you just purchased this, sir?"

"No, Robin. I renewed it from the Gotham City Library; however, I'm sure we'll be buying it soon. But, wait, now I see the Bat signal lighting up the clouds. Let's be quick to the Batmobile! Justice awaits!"

[Running time: 62:34]

... don't buy this download! The sound quality is dismal. I got it just for comparison of the interpretation with the recording of the same mass by the ensemble "Musica Florea" conducted by Marek Stryncl and with Magdalena Kozena singing the prominent alto solos. The overall interpretations have much in common, but the "Musica Florea" performance is consistently brighter both in tempi and in timbres. It's the better choice, not only because it's the more artful performance but also because it's still available on CD.