Bergen Archive
BROSCHI, PORPORA & HANDEL: “Farinelli – A Portrait – Live in Bergen” – Anne Hallenberg/ Les Talens Lyriques/ Christophe Rousset – Aparte
BROSCHI, PORPORA & HANDEL: “Farinelli – A Portrait – Live in Bergen” – Anne Hallenberg/ Les Talens Lyriques/ Christophe Rousset – Aparte 117, 79:40 (2/17/17) ****: Most famous arias of the legendary castrato Farinelli sung by fine mezzo-soprano with two Handel arias as encores. Carlo Broschi, known to posterity as Farinelli, was a late and certainly the most illustrious castrato of the 18th century. His career was ably chronicled by Charles Burney, whose writings on the musical culture of his time are the equivalent of our New York Times’ Arts section. According to Burney, Farinelli’s debut was a mythical moment, the arrival of a god on a cloud of artistic conquest. Rome, 1722, was the setting for a memorable contest in which the “power of his lungs” bested the virtuosity of a reputed trumpet player while a partisan audience swooned in acclamation. From this moment, the career of Farinelli was launched. Conquests of all the operatic centers of Italy ensued. Foreign capitals beckoned as well; first Vienna, and then the musical capital of the world, London. Burney described the wonder of his reception: “The band did not follow him, but were all gaping with wonder, as if thunder struck…unable to keep […]
KVERNO: Credo – A Composer Portrait of Trond H.F. Kverno – Bergen Cathedral Choir/ Arnfinn Tobiassen, organ – LAWO
KVERNO: Credo – A Composer Portrait of Trond H.F. Kverno – Bergen Cathedral Choir/ Arnfinn Tobiassen, organ – LAWO multichannel SACD (5.0) LWC1091 (11/13/15) [Dist. by Naxos] ****: Inspiring and ethereal music by Norwegian composer Trond Kverno. The new SACD/CD from Bergen Cathedral Choir and organist Arnfinn Tobiassen is a tribute to Norwegian contemporary composer Trond H.F. Kverno on his 70th birthday. The listener is introduced to both his choral work, as well as his works inspired by medieval ballads and Norwegian folklore. The works on this disc were composed in the 1970s through 2004. Most of the selections on this disc are based on Norwegian folklore. Some of the pieces are instrumental, and feature some powerful organ playing by Tobiassen. Some are choral works that are ethereal and beautiful. Translations are provided in the informative liner notes. Bergen is such a stunning and uplifting city, it’s not surprising to hear such inspiring music from musicians with ties to the locale. If you haven’t been there, search the web for some photos. Most of our readers, including me, won’t be familiar with Kverno’s music, but that’s not an excuse to fail to pick up this disc and give it a listen. […]
Stereotypes Audio
Cembal d’amour
Pure Pleasure / Speakers Corner
Cedille
