De Morales: O Magnum Mysterium -- Christmas motets for all seasons

Crisobal de Morales
O Magum Mysterium
Christmas Motets
Weser-Renaissance
Manfred Cordes, director
CPO

Cristobal de Morales was called "the light of Spain in music" and with good reason, as this new release demonstrates. Morales' counterpoint is transparent, and his settings easy to follow and understand. His music is both deeply expressive and ethereal in its beauty.

This release presents fourteen of Morales' Christmas motets, but they're works that can be enjoyed for their on intrinsic merits any time of year. The Weser-Renaissance ensemble, directed by Manfred Cordes,  performs in an almost self-effacing manner, with clean, unwavering tones. This clarity gives these works an almost other-worldly purity that I think captures the essence of Morales' intent.

A nice warm drink and some nice warm music ...

This Friday on Vivace, we will have a peaceful first hour with music of Martinu and Carulli.

At 7 o'clock we will celebrate Finnish Culture Day .....

.... so pour yourself a nice cup of Glögg, and enjoy a stirring version of the Karelia Suite by Sibelius.  We'll round out that hour with music of Vorisek, a piano trio by Haydn and a symphony by Leopold Mozart.

At 8 o'clock, we will have a celebration for the birthday of Gioachino Rossini, which is actually February 29, but as he doesn't have a birthday this year, we'll give him a celebration anyway.

 

And we'll end with some beautiful flute music by Bach.  I look forward to the pleasure of your company, as ever, on Vivace, Friday 6-9 am right here on WTJU-Charlottesville.

Alexander Fiterstein dances through Weber clarinet concertos

Carl Maria von Weber
Clarinet Concertos Nos. 1 & 2
Concertino for Clarinet, Op. 26

Alexander Fiterstein, clarinet
San Francisco Ballet Orchestra
Martin West, conductor
Bridge Records

Mozart was the first major composer to compose a clarinet concerto, but Weber runs a close second. Written a generation after Mozart, Weber's two clarinet conceri hold a similar place in the repertoire.

Clarinetist Alexander Fiterstein brings out those similarities in this new recordings. His liquid tone and precise intonation bring a classical elegance to these works -- a touch Mozart might appreciate.

Yet Fiterstein nimbly leaps about, almost dancing with the music. Perhaps its appropriate then, that he should be accompanied by a ballet orchestra, then. The San Francisco Ballet Orchestra, directed by Martin West provide a light and transparent ensemble sound that further strengthen the similarities between Mozart and Weber.

That's not to say these are pretty performances. Fiterstein and company provide plenty of drama and weight when required to -- especially in the second concerto. On the whole, appealing and inviting performances of these familiar works.