Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Baroque music with Francesco Durante's "Neapolitan Christmas," a captivating collection of sacred vocal works that celebrate the festive season with grace and grandeur. This album, released on November 1, 2011, under the CPO label, features a rich tapestry of compositions that showcase Durante's mastery of the late Baroque style.
Born in Frattamaggiore in the Kingdom of Sicily, Francesco Durante (1684-1755) was a prolific composer whose works are celebrated for their depth and beauty. "Neapolitan Christmas" offers a selection of Durante's most revered pieces, performed by the talented ensemble Kölner Akademie, along with notable vocalists Roberta Mameli, Andreas Post, Ursula Eittinger, and Stephan MacLeod.
The album spans a duration of approximately 72 minutes and includes a variety of genres within the classical realm, such as choral and vocal music. Highlights include the "Ad presepe venite" cantata, which features a mix of recitatives, arias, and duets, and the "Missa in pastorale in A Major," a grand mass that employs traditional "pastoral" devices to evoke the spirit of Christmas.
Recorded in November 2010 at Deutschlandfunk, the album benefits from high-quality production, ensuring that every nuance of Durante's compositions is captured with clarity and precision. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or new to the genre, "Neapolitan Christmas" promises a rich and rewarding listening experience.
Tracks
Ad presepe venite: Ad presepe (Chorus) [arr. M.A. Willens]Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Ad presepe venite: Recitativo. Alto de coeli (Soprano) [arr. M.A. Willens]Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Ad presepe venite: Aria. Candida lumina (Soprano) [arr. M.A. Willens]Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Ad presepe venite: Recitativo. In hac dicta beata (Alto, Tenor) [arr. M.A. Willens]Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Ad presepe venite: Duet. Ardente luce amara (Alto, Tenor) [arr. M.A. Willens]Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Magnificat a 4 in B-Flat Major (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Litania della Beata Maria Vergine in F Minor: Kyrie (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Litania della Beata Maria Vergine in F Minor: Virgo prudentissima (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Litania della Beata Maria Vergine in F Minor: Regina angelorum (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Litania della Beata Maria Vergine in F Minor: Agnus Dei (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Magnificat a 4 in C Minor (Arr. N. Heine)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Missa in pastorale in A Major: Kyrie (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Missa in pastorale in A Major: Gloria (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Missa in pastorale in A Major: Gratias (Soprano) [arr. M.A. Willens]Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Missa in pastorale in A Major: Domine Deus (Soprano, Alto) [arr. M.A. Willens]Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Missa in pastorale in A Major: Qui tollis (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Missa in pastorale in A Major: Quoniam (Bass) [arr. M.A. Willens]Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
Missa in pastorale in A Major: Cum sancto (Arr. M.A. Willens)Francesco Durante, Roberta Mameli, Ursula Eittinger, Andreas Post, Stephan MacLeod, Orchester der Kölner Akademie, Michael Alexander Willens
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