Search - Mozart, Gardiner, English Baroque Soloists :: Thamos, König in Ägypten

Great recording of inspired music

Howard Sauertieg | Harrisburg, PA USA | 10/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1776, Mozart wrote outstanding incidental music and choruses for Thamos, a dramatic play well forgotten but for Mozart's almost equally obscure score. The music -- neatly divisible into choruses and entractes -- has the youthful vitality of Mozart's first really successful opera, Idomeneo, and the choruses particularly point the way to The Magic Flute (very pagan and pompous hymns to the Sun God). Mozart favored this music and continued to tinker with it for years, much as Wagner later would with his own Tannhauser score. The period-instrument performance by Gardiner, et. al. is as spirited as Mozart's score, and the disc includes ALL of the extant Thamos music, including Mozart's revised, expanded choruses. Mozart loved composing for the theater, and Thamos is an early sample of his gift for such writing. But apart from its historical curiosity-value, Thamos is unique and joyful music that can stand alone without shame or borrowed brilliance. This is a great CD -- don't let it disappear before you decide to hear it."

John Eliot Carndiner: Bravo

Mr Bassil A MARDELLI | Riad El-SOLH , Beirut Lebanon | 04/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I do not know precisely when Mozart wrote this music. The Play dates as far back as 1773.



Mozart, then seventeen, must have set subordinate or casual music to Thamos, König in Ägypten - King Thamos of Egypt.-(KV 345(336a).

((If anyone can help me with the exact date Mozart wrote it, I shall be very appreciative.))



Thamos was first premiered in Vienna in April 1774, as per recent records, with two choruses. Five years later, Mozart added to it orchestral interludes and conducted the Play in Salzburg - his home town.



The Play goes thus: Prince Thamos has succeeded his father, Ramsees, as king of Egypt.



Thamos did not know that his father had already seized the throne from the lawful and true king, Menes.



To cover his identity, Menes is cloaked as the high priest, Sethos (Baritone, it could also be Bass).



Thamos loves Tharsis, a priestess, who happened to be the daughter of Menes.

((You have to be patient because I still have more odd names to quote here)).



The high priestess Mirza is plotting to give in marriage Tharsis to Pheron, but the problem is that Pheron, a General in the king's regiment, is known to have betrayed his King Menes.



When the true king Menes uncovers his true identity, General Pheron is struck by lightning and high priestess Mirza kills herself.



A happy ending concludes the Play when Menes cedes his crown to Thamos and Tharsis.



In this recording of highlights, we have a bouquet of Soprano, Baritone, Alto, Bass and Tenor with splendid Choir and ten beautiful original versions that go back to 1776 (?) Never mind how far back, Mozart's music remain the central interest to many.



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