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
Whether you're just starting your vinyl collection or have been spinning for years, the right turntable makes all the difference. We've selected the best options for every budget.
Whether a review is positive, negative, or neutral, we always publish it. However, we screen every review to ensure it is authentic and free of profanity. These checks happen automatically, though a human occasionally steps in. We never pay for reviews.
Looking for "Neapolitan Christmas" on vinyl?
We don't have a live price right now, but stock fluctuates daily. You can check for hidden stock on Amazon directly, or let us alert you as soon as it is available.