Mendelssohn, Felix - Complete Psalm Cantatas - Chamber Choir of Europe
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MENDELSSOHN: COMPLETE PSALM CANTATAS
Isabell Müller-Cant, Petra Labitzke sopranos
Daniel Sans, Gerhard Nennemann tenors
Manfred Bittner, Christof Fischesser basses
Chamber Choir of Europe
Württembergische Philharmonie Reutlingen
Nicol Matt, conductor
Mendelssohn, born at the very beginning of the 19th century, was a composer who stood at a number of junctures. Firstly, he straddled the sphere of the Classical masters and the new Romantic pathway being forged especially by Beethoven. Secondly, in his personal life, as a Jew who had converted to Protestantism, he struggled to be accepted fully into his new religion, despite his close adherence to its principles. Thirdly, and most relevantly to this collection, he was privy to an ongoing debate concerning the place and function of church music within religious services.
These cantatas, although relatively disregarded by the overly self-critical composer and consequently only published in the 1970s and 80s, demonstrate Mendelssohn's ability to strike a pleasing and impressive balance between the two extremes of this debate. The pieces are certainly not 'utility music' intended merely to serve a specific purpose within a church service; but neither do they cast off the liturgical framework in the manner of Beethoven's Ninth or Mendelssohn's 'Reformation' Symphony. Each one succeeds in having its own captivating effect capable of transporting the listener.
The Psalm Cantatas are performed here by the Chamber Choir of Europe who, among numerous other feats, have already recorded the complete sacred choral works of both Mozart and Mendelssohn. They are led by Nicol Matt, a specialist in church music who has had several releases on Brilliant Classics and sold over eight million CDs worldwide.