Marshall University Marshall Digital Scholar
Music Faculty Research School of Music
9-2005
Review of Georg Philipp Telemann, Ein feste Burg, Carus Records, 2005
Vicki Stroeher
Follow this and additional works at: https://mds.marshall.edu/music_faculty
Part of the Musicology Commons Compact Disc Reviews
David Castleberry, editor Georg PhilippPhilipp Telemann,Telemann, sacred vocal style and his experience as clarity and cleanness of the ensemble Ein teste teste Burg: Burg: Vokal- Vokal- und Instru- und Instru a composer of dramatic works. Both of and soli performances. Then, there is mental musik. musik. Reinhold Reinhold Friedrich, Friedrich, Vo- tbe Vopsalm settings featured here are set that sound: light, crisp, and translucent, calensemble Rastatt, Les Favorites, as cantatas, with soli interspersed among The voices of the Vocalensemble Rastatt Holger Speck,Speck, conductor. conductor. the choruses. Telemann's sense of the are young and unforced, yet full-bodied; Recorded 5-105-10 October October 2004, 2004, Alt- Alt dramatic shines through, exemplified best their diction and tuning are impeccable, katholische Auferstehungskirche, Auferstehungskirche, in the final chorus Die Furcht des Herrn The soloists, soprano Ruth Ziesak and Karlsruhe.Karlsruhe. [The fearofthe Lord is the source of wis- alto Arnon Zlotnik in particular, pos 2005 Carus-Verlag, Carus 83.166, dom] of Psalm 111 which begins in minor, sess the gem-like quality that defines the 74'32"74'32" almost like an Actus Tragicus, then turns choral singing, as well. Les Favorites, to a sprightly dance in major, complete likewise, shows impeccable tuning, eorg Philipp Telemann with trumpet and drums to underscore the and its performances are controlled and (1681-1767) found his niche notion of everlasting praise. smooth in a way one does not always hear as the Kantor/Kapellmeister At the center of the recording is a com- from historical instruments. Trumpeter of the Johanneum Latein- pilation of instrumental works from music Reinhold Friedrich's playing is exquisite, schule and principal churches in Ham- tbat Telemann supplied for the funerals even in the difficult muted passages of the burg, for it gave him the opportunity to °ftwo ok Hamburg's mayors. The music Trauermusik. All in all, the performances compose numerous works in a variety of publishing side of Carus-Verlag oversaw featured here rank among the best of the media, both sacred and secular. During this publication of the suite, gathered authenticity movement. For the listener his tenure in this position, from 1721 to under the wanting an alternative or even comple his death in 1767, his sacred music out- title Ham' i B g gj ment to Bach's sacred works, this disc is put encompassed some twenty cycles of burgische J highly recommended, cantatas, as well as significant numbers Trauer- | I Since this recording features some of passions and oratorios and a sprinkling m usik. 1, /ggpjfl of Telemann's least known works, it is of motets and psalm settings. While in The result, heartening to read in the accompanying sheer volume his cantata output far out- though ar- 1 I I H booklet that Carus-Verlag has also issued stripped that of Johann Sebastian Bach, §uably ar" ' each work in score- Since the perfor Telemann's reputation in music history tificial, is mances have been carefully prepared and classes resides chiefly in his instrumental any th ing researched (the timpani were muffled to music, particularly his Tafelmusik. Early buti in" match the muted trumpets called for by on recordings of Telemann's instrumen- deed, this is hauntingly beautiful music Telemann in the Tt aiatrmnsik), one antici tal music have been somewhat plentiful. tbat warrants preservation and perfor- pates that these score editions will exhibit Attention has now turned to his cantatas, mance no matter what lengths it takes for the same care. Interestingly, the three mo passions, oratorios, and a smattering of tb'a be achieved. tet manuscripts were housed in Weimar operas. This recording of a few of the Such fine and brilliant music deserves at the Herzogin Anna Amalie Bibliothek, relatively unknown motets and psalm a worthy performance. Holger Speck, the which suffered a very damaging fire on settings jg therefore quite a welcome Vocalensemble Rastatt, and Les Favorites September 2nd, 2004, just one month addition to the ever-growing Telemann c'° not disappoint. Speck, whose specialty before these works were recorded. Some discography. affording a glimpse into is music of the 17th and 18th centuries, 35,000 books from the 17th and 18th cen the craftsmanship that characterizes never takes an aggressive approach to tury collection in the Rococo Hall were Germany's leading early 18th-century these historically informed performances, lost and another 27,000 damaged, in composer. The three motets Halt, was but exercises restraint and care that cap- eluding 2100 music books and some 700 du hast for double SATB chorus espe- ture Telemann's sense of drama and pas- music manuscripts. While there has been cially reveal Telemann's command of the si°n- One is first struck by the amazing no report that the Telemann manuscripts September 2005 • CHORAL JOURNAL 79 were among among those those irrevocably irrevocably damaged, damaged, tye tye Gospode Gospode Nyebyes; Nyebyes; Brahms: Brahms: Fest-und Fest-und BSBHhc National Youth Choir Great one cannot cannot help help feeling feeling that thethat foresight the foresight Gedenkspruche; Gedenkspruche; Busto: Busto:Laúdate Laudate Pueri Pueri Britain (hereafter NYC) was of thethe publishingpublishing house house and and the thetiming timing of of Dominum; Dominum; Allain: Allain: Ubi Ubi Es? Es? Howells: Howells: Salvator Salvator formed in 1983 for a first this discdisc are are somehow somehow fortuitous. fortuitous. Mundi; Mundi; Requiem; Requiem; Klatzow: Klatzow: Cover Cover Me Mewith with performance, held at Royal the Night;Night; The The Great Great Amen; Amen; Brewer: Brewer: Tour Tour- Albert Hall. Since then, members have VickiVicki Stroeher Stroeher dion; Shut the dion; Door; Shut theParanjoti; Door; Paranjoti; Dravidian Dravidian assembled twice yearly for 10 days of in Huntington, West West Virginia Virginia Dithyramb; Dithyramb; Hruskovsky: Hruskovsky: Rytmus; Rytmus; PorterPorter- tensive training, leading to performances Bussey: I've I've Got Got You You Under Under My MySkin; Skin; The The throughout Great Britain. In 1986, they Battle of of Jericho Jericho (arr. (arr. Hogan); Hogan); Garfunkel Garfunkel- made their first world tour and have The NationalNational Youth Youth Choir Choir of ofGreat Great Marshall:Marshall: Bridge Bridge Over Over Troubled Troubled Waters; Waters; maintained that tradition every three or BritainBritain World World Tour 1996Tour 1996 Dubula Dubula (arr. (arr. VanVan Der Der Merwe) Merwe) four years. The popularity of the NYC Schutz: Psalm Psalm 84\ 84; Mendelssohn: Mendelssohn: Kyrie KyrieNational Elei- EleiYouth National Choir/Mike Youth Brewer Choir/Mike Brewer prompted the creation of training choirs son; FrolochetFrolochet IhrIhr VolkeraufVolkerauf Erden; Erden; NYCCD, Victoria: Victoria: 2 CD, 92 NYCCD, minutes 2 CD, 92 minutes for young people 13-18 years of age, girls Salve Regina;Regina; Harvey: Harvey: How How Could Could the Soulthe Soul 11-16, and boys 9-14. There are now sev Not TakeTake Flight;Flight; Rachmaninoff: Rachmaninoff: VespersThe Vespers National (3 (3Youth The Choir National of Great Youth Choir of Great en choirs: NYC (about 140 voices), NYC extracts); Allain: Allain: Salve Salve Regina; Regina; Hoist: Britain NuncHoist: World TourNunc 2003 Britain World Tour 2003 Training Schutz: German Magnificat; Lotti: Crucifixus; Dimittis; Mozart:Mozart: Vamo Vamo di di Core; Core; Lechuga: Lechuga: Schutz: German Magnificat; Lotti: Crucifixus; National Youth Choir, Choir Malagueña;Malaguena; Brewer:Brewer: HambaHamba Lulu; Lulu; Hoist:Let Let Me MeAve Hoist: Maria; Ave Villette: Maria; O MagnumVillette: MysO Magnum of Great Mys- Britain Girls Musical Director: Mikk Bklwkk OBE Shine; Pearsall:Pearsall: LayLaya a Garland; LaLa terium; MuerteMuerte Schonburg: terium; Schonburg:Friede aufErde; Friede Mahler: aufErde; Mahler: North deldel Angel; Angel; [arrangements]: [arrangements]: Lullaby ofLullaby Ich Binof Ichder BinWelt der Abhanden Welt Abhanden Gekommen; Gekommen; em,Girls BroadwayBroadway (arr.Prest): (arr.Prest): Sourwood Sourwood Mountain Martin:Mountain Sanctus Martin: & Benedictus; Sanctus Part: Trib & Benedictus; Part: Trib- M i d - (arr.Rutter);(arr.Rutter); Agincourt Agincourt Hymn (arr. Hymn Swingle); (arr. ute to Swingle); Caesar; Macmillan: ute to ChristusCaesar; Vincit; Macmillan: Christus Vincit; lands, DreamDream a Little a Little Dream(arr. Dream(an. Isaacs); Wade Isaacs); in Bach-Swingle: Wade in OrganBach-Swingle: Fugue; Wood: OrganA Clear Fugue; Wood: A Clear Girls World Tour 1996 thethe Water Water (arr. (arr.Luboff); Luboff); Shenandoah Shenandoah (arr. Midnight; (arr. Hearne: Midnight; The Seagull; Hearne: Enkbayer: The Seagull; Enkbayer: South Erb)Erb) Naiman Sharag; Jansson-Ericksson: Naiman Sharag; Jansson-Ericksson: Salve em,Boys Salve National Youth Youth Choir/Mike Choir/Mike Brewer Brewer Regina; Regina; Hogan: Hogan: I CanI Can Tell Tell the the World;World; Lagan North NYCCD,NYCCD, 2 CD,2 CD, 93 minutes 93 minutes Love (arr. Love Powell); (arr. Powell);Joel/Beardsell: Joel/Beardsell: Lullaby; Lullaby; ern, and Dream a aLittle Little Dream Dream (arr.Isaacs); (arr.lsaacs); Brewer: Brewer: Boys Southern. Each has its own National YouthYouth Choir Choir of of Great Great Brit Brit- HambaHamba Lulu; Lulu; Movin'1; Movin1; Pastime Pastime with Goodwith Good schedule, program, and director. Sir ainain World World Tour Tour 1999 1999 Company Company (an. (arr.Swingle) Swingle) David Willcocks is the President of the Victoria: MagnificatMagnificat SextiSexti Toni; Toni; National Schein: Schein: Youth Choir National / Mike Brewer Youth Choir / Mike Brewer entire choral organization. These discs, WasWas Betrubst Betrubst du Dich; Monteverdi:du Dich; Can Monteverdi: DCD 34707, 2CD, Can-102 minutes DCD 34707, 2CD, 102 minutes availablethroughwww.nycgb.net/word tatetate Domino; Domino; Purcell: Purcell: Hear My Prayer;Hear My Prayer; press/store/cds/ it moves Each choir displays a distinctive sound, owing to constantly changing per music sonnel. From the 1996 group, the divisi you is inside you pieces by Schutz and Mendelssohn are absolutely superb, while the Allain work demonstrates the choir's ability to handle difficult intervals and overlapping sonori ties. Harvey's most unusual How Could the Soul includes whistling and sectional Fine tune vour talent at the U»r|Yl glissandi against straight homophonic Where opportunities to shine are all around you. \\ here an amazing choral textures, a challenging work to faculty has done it all from Carnegie Hall to the Grammy-: Where a world-renowned musical heritage awaits you. perform and conduct. The girls-only where the music is. performance of Dream a Little Dream is as smooth as one could want, with the THE UNIVERSITY OF music.memphis.edu ■ MEMPHIS swells and lingering here and there that Rudi E. Scheldt School of Musk would delight any fan of pop music. Erb's 80 CHORAL JOURNAL • September 2005