Vivaldi: Gloria; Bach: Magnificat [Hybrid SACD] (2006)

About this title: Intimidating numbers of choices await the listener looking for a recording of either Bach's Magnificat, Vivaldi's Gloria, RV 589, or, as often happens, both together on one disc. This well-recorded Telarc release, however, presents a distinctive and perhaps even unprecedented set of forces: the two works are performed on period instruments, but the medium-sized (about 25 singers) vocal ensemble (the Boston Baroque includes both players and singers as needed) has a full, straightforward but well-blended American civic chorus sound. The combination generally works well under the direction of Martin Pearlman, who favors very quick tempos in the fast movements and sharp articulation of individual notes for both the instrumentalists and the chorus, which has obviously been drilled within an inch of its life. Vivaldi's festive, welcoming octaves at the beginning of the Gloria come out as sharp, jittery stabs of sound, which is not going to be to everyone's taste. The advantages of Pearlman's style, however,...

Tracks on this album

Note: This is a general synopsis. Each listing is described below.