Notes and Editorial Reviews
KERLL
Missa Renovationis.
1
Missa Non sine quare
2
•
Matthias Jung, cond; Anna Moritz (sop);
1,2
Dorothea Wagner (sop);
1
Alexander Schneider (ct);
1,2
Clemens Volkmar (ten);
1,2
Christian Berger (ten);
1
Philipp Brömsel
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(bs);
1,2
Daniel Deuter (vn);
1,2
Beate Voigt (vn);
1,2
Bernhard Hentrich (vc);
1,2
Torsten Hoppe (vne);
2
Michael Poscharski (vne);
1
Merit Eichhorn (org);
2
Stephan Thamm (org);
1
Dresden Boys’ Ch;
1,2
(period instruments)
•
CANTATE 58031 (51:04
Text, no Translation)
Johann Kaspar (or Caspar) Kerll was a prominent composer in Germany and Austria in the latter half of the 17th century. Although he is today more known for his instrumental music, he was during his lifetime acclaimed for his vocal music, including Masses such as the two recorded here. His earliest compositions in this form show the influence of the model set by Palestrina, but by the time of the composition of these two Masses, the
stile antico
of Palestrina was combined with a more modern style of writing, which by 1650 had developed into a style known as
Messa concertata
. Among the features of the new style were the addition of obbligato instruments to the previous
basso continuo
accompaniment and the use of supplementary singers. Kerll was well known in his time for his Masses in the
Messa concertata
style, and considered by his contemporaries as the outstanding representative of this type of composition. The popularity of his Masses led him to publish a volume of six of them, including the two recorded here, along with a Requiem, toward the end of his life.
These two Masses are written for basso continuo with two obbligato violins and six and four singers, respectively, with chorus. The
Missa Non sine quare
has a very light, bright texture, while the
Missa Renovationis
is slightly darker in tone. Both works are festive and energizing, something one would expect to encounter on a major feast day.
The performances are excellent in every way. The soloists sing as a group or in groups; there are no solos. Chorus and instrumentalists are beyond reproach. The booklet provides the text of the Mass without translation; most listeners are not likely to need one, but translations are readily available online for those who lack one. My only regret is that a third Mass was not included; there is space on the disc. There are no rival recordings listed at arkivmusic.com. The CD booklet is labeled “Recording 1”; perhaps Cantate intends to give us a complete recording of Kerll’s 18 surviving Masses.
FANFARE: Ron Salemi
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Works on This Recording
1.
Missa "Non sine quare" by Johann Kaspar Kerll
Performer:
Stephan Thamm (Organ)
Conductor:
Matthias Jung
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Dresden Boys' Choir,
Dresden Chamber Choir
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
2.
Missa "Renovationis" by Johann Kaspar Kerll
Performer:
Merit Eichhorn (Organ)
Conductor:
Matthias Jung
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Dresden Chamber Choir
Period: Baroque
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