Bach, Michel Corboz – Magnificat, Oratorio De L'ascension

This album compares hits from the Renaissance (by Rore, Lasso, Arcadelt and others) with their instrumental ornamented arrangement published in 1591 by Venetian Giovanni Bassano, author of a reference treatise on arrangement. It also includes some Paladino transcriptions for solo lute, performed by Anthony Bailes.

There are some real injustices in the business of recorded music and this disc brings one of them very much to light. The opening lines of the liner notes say, "Until relatively recently, the reputation of Alessandro Scarlatti – the son, brother, father and uncle of other illustrious musicians – was overshadowed by that of his son Domenico." It is not stated on this disc whether the notes were written to go with this Apex re-issue or whether they date from the same period as the recording, but Alessandro’s reputation, if he has one, is still very much under his wonderful son’s shadow. It is an indication of a massive injustice, that this re-issue goes some small way to correcting.

Nurtured by Sunday radio broadcasts of cantatas in his youth, Michel Corboz very soon developed a deep admiration for Bach, whose music was the guiding thread of his career. He approached every major sacred work, some more than once, always questioning the score and exploring new interpretive options. This album is a selection of the best moments from the passions, masses and oratorios, featuring beautiful vocal soloists such as José van Dam, Sandrine Piau and more. It also includes some instrumental tracks with keyboard concertos by Maria João Pires.

Although Bach and Monteverdi were the two main composers Michel Corboz recorded, he focused intensely on Vivaldi’s sacred music during the mid-70s, be it with the Gulbenkian Orchestra, the Lausanne ensembles or the English Bach Festival Baroque Orchestra. This collection includes the digital premiere of his recording of Beatus vir, RV 598, newly remastered!

In addition to German and early Italian sacred music, Michel Corboz was very involved in exploring the Grand Siècle, and in particular the music of Marc-Antoine Charpentier. The re-creation in Lyon of David & Jonathas, a groundbreaking musical form between lyric tragedy and oratorio, with very few recitatives, was one of the main stage events of 1981. Almost three centuries had passed since the premiere and the work was completely forgotten, though being considered nowadays as one of Charpentier’s masterpieces. This recording, made just after the live performances, was the first to reveal the beauty of this work, thanks to Corboz’ conducting of a period instrument orchestra and an amazing cast of vocal soloists: Colette Alliot-Lugaz, Paul Esswood, Philippe Huttenlocher, René Jacobs, François Le Roux…

In addition to German and early Italian sacred music, Michel Corboz was very involved in exploring the Grand Siècle, and in particular the music of Marc-Antoine Charpentier. The re-creation in Lyon of David & Jonathas, a groundbreaking musical form between lyric tragedy and oratorio, with very few recitatives, was one of the main stage events of 1981. Almost three centuries had passed since the premiere and the work was completely forgotten, though being considered nowadays as one of Charpentier’s masterpieces. This recording, made just after the live performances, was the first to reveal the beauty of this work, thanks to Corboz’ conducting of a period instrument orchestra and an amazing cast of vocal soloists: Colette Alliot-Lugaz, Paul Esswood, Philippe Huttenlocher, René Jacobs, François Le Roux…

It is good that there is a recording of Honegger's charming Christmas cantata with French-speaking soloists that does full justice to the work. It was the last completed work for baritone, choir and organ in 1953. In fact, it certainly deserves greater fame outside France. The recording was made in Lisbon and was later remastered by Cascavelle. We hear very beautiful, and in the case of the Danse des morts from 1938/40 (for speaker, soprano, baritone, choir and orchestra), even very concise renditions.