Product Description

Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music here offer a spirited, colorful, and certainly one of the most unique performances of Pergolesi's most beloved sacred settings. For instance Hogwood eschews the traditional choir entirely heightening the roles of soloists. Having been in countless recordings together previous to these 1988 sessions, soprano Emma Kirkby and counter-tenor James Bowman rise to the occasion famously delivering highly emotional, tonally pure, captivating performances throughout. Decca's well-balanced sound is crisp, clear, and without any trace of edginess typical of original instrument recordings at the time.

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For two centuries, Pergolesi's Stabat Mater for soprano, alto, and strings has been a legend as much as a piece of music; Pergolesi literally finished the work on his deathbed, so how could it be otherwise? Fortunately, in a good performance such as this one, the music lives up to the myth. Soloists Emma Kirkby and James Bowman, leading lights of the 1980s Baroque revival, have always evoked polarized reactions: traditional opera buff types generally detest them (they should try version with Margaret Marshall and Lucia Valentini-Terrani), while early- music lovers find their voices ideal for this repertory. Kirkby's uniquely pure, clear, and flexible voice suits this music very well indeed; Bowman's voice is more controversial, and he does show some discomfort on the highest notes, but he's an expressive musician; both singers have a fine sense of line and impeccable tuning--Pergolesi's many dramatic suspensions are especially effective. Christopher Hogwood leads a sensitive performance, not radical in any way but quite persuasive. --Matthew Westphal