Search - Chad Runyon, Eric Alatorre, Frank Albinder :: Jerusalem: Matins for the Virgin of Guadalupe

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 07/06/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A WELCOME SEQUEL TO THE RECORDING OF MEXICAN BAROQUE MUSIC ALSO PERFORMED BY THE EXCLLENT AMERICAN ALL-MALE GROUP CHANTICLEER

The sequel to Chanticleer's best-selling and critically acclaimed Mexican Baroque recording, with more recently discovered choral masterpieces of Mexico City Cathedral chapel master, Ignacio de Jerusalem. This recording brings to life one of the most monumental and elaborate choral works of the New World. Chanticleer is joined by the Chanticleer Sinfonia, conducted by Joseph Jennings.



Herein is a fascinating musicological document of eighteenth century music. At the heart of this Matin Service is a set of responsories by Ignacio de Jerusalem. The Italian-born Jerusalem was a virtuoso violinist who brought his considerable talents to the New World in 1742. In 1746 he was appointed Chapel Master at the Mexico City Cathedral, a post he held until his death in 1769.



Jerusalem's music looks away from the Italian Baroque and ahead to the galante style of J.C.Bach and Haydn. The matin service includes plainchant psalms and Jerusalem's deliciously melodious responses for the solo voice,chorus and orchestra. The remainder of the service features music by Jerusalem's predecessor,Manuel de Zumaya. Zumaya's music is marked by his mastery of counterpoint, and, with suitable Baroque pomp, he provides a fascinating contrast to Jerusalem's more 'modern' style.



The men of Chanticleer are superb in recent Plainchant sections, as well as the virtuoso challanges presented in Jerusalem's responsories. The excellent soloists and chorus are supported by an Orchestra of period instruments, lending a wonderful piquant sound and authenticity to the score. The singers are: male sopranos=C. Fritzsche, C. McKnight, Jay White; male altos=K.Fitch,M.Lichtenauer,P.Wilder; tenors=K.Baum,T.Krol,D.Munderlich and baritone and basses=E.Alatorre,C.runyon,F.Albinder.



"The performance and recording quality are better than many of the other recordings Jerusalem's music that I have heard. The balance between the voices and instruments is consistently superb,and the engineering captures just enough reverberation to suggest a cathedral. The result is a perfect blend of spirituality and a humanistic zest for life" CLASSICAL REVIEW



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