Search
Special Offers
Awards
Online Payment
Visit us
Presto News - 27th June 2011Sublime Vivaldi from Nathalie Stutzmann |
 I’ve got a really special disc to tell you about this week. Nathalie Stutzmann’s new Vivaldi album was released in France a couple of months ago but it has had virtually zero coverage over here in the UK and I only came across it after a tip-off from a friend who runs the Classical CD department in Foyles book shop in London. It is a fabulous disc which reminds us that at a time where male castrati were at the heights of their powers (early eighteenth century) Vivaldi was one composer who actually preferred the female contralto voice.  Nathalie Stutzmann From his first opera (Ottone in villa) to his last (L’oracolo in Messenia), Vivaldi more often than not placed a women centre stage rather than a male castrato, and in many cases this lead female was assigned a male role. I guess that makes Vivaldi a bit of a pioneer of the so-called ‘trouser role’, which from Mozart’s time onwards became a fairly common practice. This may of course have been partly for financial reasons as Vivaldi was not well off, and castrati stars were far more costly than their female counterparts, but I don’t think that was the sole factor. The detailed booklet notes go into some detail on this issue and explain which arias on the disc were definitely written for female contraltos. Maybe it is just me but I think there is an extra depth of sincerity and tenderness in the female arias which maybe isn’t quite so apparent in the ones written for castrati, where versatility and coloratura are generally more apparent. Natalie Stutzmann has a fabulously rich and dark contralto voice, with real power on the lower notes combined with a clarity of sound and diction that is so rarely found. The moods of the arias on this disc range from furious rage to calm meditation. There are probably more of the latter and she sings them with astonishing warmth and beauty. Her breath control and coloratura are impressive, while ornamentation is tasteful and not overdone. She is superbly supported by Orfeo 55 – an ensemble which she founded in 2009 to fulfil a lifelong dream of having her own chamber orchestra. She gets an impressive sound from the orchestra with beautiful phrasing to match her singing and delicate pianissimos which create some really special moments. It is a disc which I’ll be returning to many times in the future and along with Naïve’s continuing Vivaldi Edition (on which Natalie Stutzmann is a regular performer) will continue to bring awareness to Vivaldi as one of the great opera composers of his time. There are sound samples and a short video (in French I’m afraid but with lots of musical examples) via the links below. I hope you’ll enjoy this as much as I have.
|
Share
|
 Vivaldi: Prima DonnaNathalie Stutzmann (contralto/director), Orfeo 55
|
Chris O'Reilly - chris@prestoclassical.co.uk |
Listen - sound samples available for this item
Watch: A short video trailer (in French, but with lots of music!)New Releases27th June 2011 |
This is just the pick of the recent releases. The New Releases and Future Releases pages are always available for browsing all the new and forthcoming releases. |
 Walton: Symphonies Nos. 1 & 2BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Martyn BrabbinsThe BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Martyn Brabbins gives invigorating and authoritative performances of William Walton’s masterful symphonies. The musicians balance stunning control with breathtaking energy and character. |
 Strauss: Ein Heldenleben & Vier letzte LiederDorothea Röschmann (soprano), Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-SéguinIn a very short time, Yannick Nézet-Séguin has become one of the most sought-after young conductors in the world, popular with orchestras and audiences alike. Recently named as Music Director Designate of the Philadelphia Orchestra, he succeeded Valery Gergiev as Music Director of the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra in 2008. He is also Chief Guest Conductor of the London Philharmonic Orchestra. |
 Rameau: L’Orchestre de Louis XVManfredo Kraemer (violin), Le Concert des Nations, Jordi SavallFollowing the success of the albums L’Orchestre de Louis XIII (Philidor l’Aisné) and L’Orchestre du Roi Soleil (Lully), Jordi Savall delivers another dynastic opus consisting of music by Jean-Philippe Rameau. Le Concert des Nations sparkles in these four orchestral suites which document the genius of the French composer and Jordi Savall’s affinity with the repertoire of the XVIIIth century. |
 Rachmaninoff: Symphony No. 3BBC Philharmonic, Gianandrea NosedaSymphony No. 3 is the most expressively Russian of all Rachmaninoff’s symphonies, particularly in the dance rhythms of the energetic finale. Rachmaninoff wrote the symphony for the Philadelphia Orchestra, having spoken fondly of the ensemble, calling it “my very favourite orchestra”. The premiere was conducted by the charismatic Leopold Stokowski, but reviews were mixed – leaning towards the negative – and it was not until the re-evaluation of Rachmaninoff’s works in the 1970s that this symphony finally got the recognition that it deserves. |
 Mahler: Kindertotenlieder, Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen & Rückert-LiederKatarina Karnéus (mezzo-soprano), Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra, Susanna MälkkiSwedish mezzo-soprano and former winner of BBC Cardiff Singer of the World competition, Katarina Karnéus is joined on this disc by the Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra and Finnish conductor Susanna Mälkki to perform three of Gustav Mahler’s orchestral songs. |
 Sweelinck: Cantiones SacraeGesualdo Consort Amsterdam, Harry van der KampIn the summer of 2009, Harry van der Kamp and his Gesualdo Consort Amsterdam finished their epic journey through the complete vocal oeuvre of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. All in all, a total of 17 CDs were recorded, giving rise to the publication by Glossa of ‘Het Sweelinck Monument’, a collection of six limited-edition CD-books, with texts in Dutch and distributed solely in the Netherlands. This is music of the highest quality, whose circulation shouldn’t be limited to Sweelinck’s home country. For that reason, following the international release of The Secular Vocal Works in 2009, and before publishing at the end of this year a grand box set containing the 150 Psalms, Glossa are now presenting this 2-CD set of the five-part motets. |
 Bach, J S: Motets, BWV225-230Collegium Vocale Gent, Philippe HerrewegheAlthough a lot of mystery shrouds their conception, Bach’s motets count amongst his works which were played uninterruptedly in Leipzig from their origin up until now. For this reason interpretative traditions have overlapped in the course of the centuries in these six remarkable pages. Philippe Herreweghe, at the light of recent research, has found inspiration in the Leipzig practices. These traditions give these motets all their glamour, whilst given them stark relief with very different configurations (simple and double chorus, basso continuo, varied instrumentation). |
 Dutton New ReleasesThe usual batch of world premiere recordings amongst the latest Dutton releases. British music of course still dominates with a John Joubert Symphony, a Michael Hurd chamber opera and a Benjamin Godard Piano Concerto amongst the stand out releases, but there is also an international theme this month with discs of French composer Florent Schmitt and Finnish composer Toivo Kuula (a pupil of Sibelius) also worthy of exploration. |
 BBC Radio 3 CD ReviewSaturday 25th June 2011 |
Building a Library - Essential Light Music |
In a break from the normal format this week Adrian Edwards discussed some current recordings of Light Music You can view all his featured discs here. |
Disc of the Week |
 Beethoven: Diabelli Variations, Op. 120Paul Lewis (piano) |
Your details will be used only in accordance with our Privacy Policy. |
Copyright © 2002-13 Presto Classical Limited, all rights reserved.