Missa Pastoralis Bohemica

The Missa Faulte d’argent emerges as a major work in this, its first complete recording. With the inclusion of a selection of motets (also in first recordings), the present programme marks an important addition to our understanding and appreciation of this prolific figure.

José Maurício Nunes Garcia (1767-1830) fut le plus important compositeur brésilien de son époque. Prêtre particulièrement cultivé, il composa un nombre impressionnant d'œuvres dans chacune des cours régionales qu'il traversa. Son influence fut considérable dans son pays ; il donna notamment la création au Brésil du Requiem de Mozart en 1819 ! Au sein de plus de 200 œuvres, la Missa Pastoril pour une nuit de Noël (1811) fut influencée par le style italien brillant, rappelant à la fois les écritures de Rossini et de Cherubini. Neuf solistes et un chœur important se joignent à un orchestre particulièrement virtuose et soucieux de l'ornementation. L'ensemble Turicum restitue cette partition rutilante, véritable curiosité musicale.

Missa Johnouchi (城之内 ミサ; Jōnouchi Misa) is a composer, pianist, conductor and singer who creates Asian-styled new-age music. . Missa Johnouchi was named UNESCO Artist for Peace in August 2006.

This CD contains a fine performance of the Michael Haydn's Requiem, but if you are interested in hearing the much discussed striking influence of this Requiem on Mozart's, this is not most persuasive performance. For Rilling gives a rather musically suave reading, emphasizing a certain comforting quality to the music, and though you can still make the comparison, there is a better take on that angle. The old Hinreiner recording which was on a Koch/Schwann lp (I don't think it ever made it to CD) is actually much better for suggesting the almost spooky and dusky similarity between the two works. Still, this one is very heartfelt and enjoyable. But the much more spectacular event on this CD is the St. Francis Mass of Michael Haydn.