Album

Collegium Marianum, Jana Semerádová

Rorate coeli. Music for Advent and Christmas in Baroque Prague. Music from Eighteenth-Century Prague

Catalogue Number: SU 4002-2
Published: 2nd October 2009
Genre: Christmas
Format: 1 CD
V. K. H. Rovenský, A. Reichenauer, J. D. Zelenka, J. F. Fasch, A. Caldara

Hana Blažíková - soprano, Kamila Ševčíková - alto, Tomáš Král, Marián Krejčík - baritone
Collegium Marianum, artistic director Jana Semerádová
(on period instruments)

In the rich musical life of early 18th century Prague, the Advent and Christmas seasons formed a chapter unto themselves. Their specific repertoire consisted not only of the themes of this liturgical season (including a strong element of the Marian cult), but also of special liturgical and musical forms. In both songs and figural music Czech suddenly appeared side by side with Latin, along with elements of folk religion and culture. These are most to be heard in the charming Advent and Christmas poeticism of the songs of Holan Rovenský. Prague's archives also hold whole troves of pieces with more sophisticated forms, both those by composers who worked in Prague (A. Reichenauer, J.F. Fasch) and those brought in from elsewhere (A. Caldara, Dresden-based J. D. Zelenka, and others). All the pieces on this new recording by the outstanding Collegium Marianum share the atmosphere of expectation of the Savior's arrival and the spirit of peace and joy.

And joy is precisely what shines through the thoughtful musicological and dramaturgical program of this "authentic" recording into the heart of the listener, whether during the seasons of Advent and Christmas or at any other time.
Václav Karel Holan Rovenský
1. Maria, thou lofty field 02:39
Václav Karel Holan Rovenský
2. Oh God, how did I deserve 04:01
Antonín Reichenauer
3. Cantata ad Montem Sanctum "Quae est ista" 04:52
Václav Karel Holan Rovenský
4. Mary, give your consent 03:28
Václav Karel Holan Rovenský
5. Rorate coeli, when holy prophets 03:02
Antonín Reichenauer
Triosonata in D major
6. Adagio 01:47
7. Allegro 01:36
8. Adagio 01:14
9. Tempo di Menuet 01:13
Jan Dismas Zelenka
Alma Redemptoris Mater
10. Alma Redemptoris Mater - Adagio un poco 02:54
11. Succure cadenti 02:18
12. Virgo prius - Larghetto piano sempre 02:29
John Francis Wade
13. Adeste fideles 01:36
Antonín Reichenauer
14. Aria de Adventu in F major "Ó coeli, rorate" 04:19
Václav Karel Holan Rovenský
15. Oh my beloved 01:28
Johann Friedrich Fasch
Sonata for Flute, Two Recorders and Basso continuo in G major
16. Andante 01:49
17. Allegro 01:51
18. Affettoso 01:56
19. Allegro 02:55
Antonio Caldara
20. Aria "Quel pargoletto" (from Vatici di pace) 04:41
Václav Karel Holan Rovenský
21. To little Jesus 04:31
Václav Karel Holan Rovenský
22. A darling child 02:24