Search - Johann Joseph Fux, Martin Haselböck, Vienna Academy Choir :: Johann Joseph Fux: Missa Corporis Christi; Motets

Heavenly sound! Angel trumpets - Devil trombones!

smguy@tne.net.au | Australia | 07/31/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Exquisite and magnificent sounds here... Male sopranos/altos, Baroque trumpets, a cornetto, trombones, drums and transparent sounding baroque strings. Fux writes music in a natural and straight forward manner - his tunes are powerful and memorable. The first track, "Victimae Paschali Laudat", has a power and drive that establishes itself right from the very first notes. It would be hard to imagine a better performance of this and the following Missa Corporis Christi - the Wiener Akademie under Martin Haselbock is in its element. Others will be fascinated and amazed that all four soloists - Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass are men! David Cordier is the falsetto soprano and Drew Minter is the falsetto alto. These voices blend beautifully with the period instruments - particularly with the cornetto and the trombones - in a way impossible for female voices. This CD will take you into another world - and Johann Joseph Fux was, according to Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach, Johann Sebastian Bach's favourite composer.A CD that has brought much happiness to me."

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 12/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SOUNDS OF BREATH-TAKING BEAUTY!

Johann Joseph Fux (1660-1740) was an influential teacher, having written 'Gradus ad Parnassum' which codified compositional principles for musical training throughout the classical era. His compositions include abundant church music, operas, and numerous suites and trio sonatas. Counterpoint in his compositions was a hallmark of his style but did not keep him from incorporating modern tendencies in his music. The 'Missa Corporis Christi' was written in February, 1713, probably written for the next Feast of Corporis Christi, which fell on June 15 in that year.



Martin Haselbock has gathered herein a perfectly wonderful group of performers, both vocally and instrumentally, which more than does justice to this incredibly lovely music of J.J. Fux.



His total singing group numbers twelve, and they are all experts in this era. Four of these singers make up the solo group that consists of David Cordier (sopranist)-Drew Minter (alto)- Johannes Chum (tenor) and Klaus Mertens (bass). The supporting group of singers is all male also and includes two of each voice part. The selection of voice types for this recording is based upon the historical information available from this era. Regardless, the sound is fantastic; lovely tone-quality, rich sonorous sound and clear diction. JUST GREAT!



Instrumentally, we have the strings with bassoon, timpani and brass in abundance: three trumpets, two trombones and organ. They accompany and solo expertly and provide excellent support for the vocal ensemble.



I have one other recording involving Fux and Haselbock, and it too is quite expertly done and includes much the same people. Give yourselves a pleasurable experience and enjoy some outstanding music!"