| RECORDINGS |
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| LABEL: |
LEAF
MUSIC
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| CATALOG
NUMBER: |
N/A
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| UPC
NUMBER: |
N/A
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| NUMBER OF DISCS: |
1
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| RUNNING TIME: |
57:36
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| DATE
RECORDED: |
FEBRUARY 2021
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| CD
RELEASE DATE: |
NOVEMBER 5, 2021
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| CONDUCTOR: |
MATTHAIS MAUTE
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| ORCHESTRA: |
ENSEMBLE CAPRICE
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| CHOIR: |
ENSEMBLE VOCAL-ARTS
QUEBEC
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| SOPRANO: |
KARINA GAUVIN
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| MEZZO-SOPRANO: |
N/A
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| TENOR: |
N/A
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| BARITONE: |
N/A
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| AUDIO SAMPLES |
HIGHLIGHTS |
OTHER
RELEASES |
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NONE
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NONE
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DISC ONE
1. Hope and Belief 2:09
2. Messiah, No. 4, And the Glory of the
Lord 2:34
3. Messiah, No. 7, And He Shall Purify the
Sons of Levi 2:20
4. Messiah, No. 12, For unto Us a Child Is
Born 3:55
5. Messiah, No. 13, Pifa "Pastoral
Sinfony" 2:34
6. Messiah, No. 14a, There Were Shepherds
Abiding in the Fields 1:22
7. Messiah, No. 17, Glory to God in the
Highest 1:41
8. Messiah, No. 18, Rejoice Greatly, O
Daughter of Zion 8:38
9. Messiah, No. 21, His Yoke Is Easy 2:14
10. Messiah, No. 24, Surely He Has Borne
Our Griefs and Carried Our Sorrows 3:40
11. Messiah, No. 26, All We Like Sheep
Have Gone Astray 3:36
12. Messiah, No. 28, He Trusted in God
That He Would Deliver Him 2:13
13. Messiah, No. 37, The Lord Gave the
Word 1:13
14. Messiah, No. 44, Hallelujah 3:22
15. Messiah, No. 45, I Know That My
Redeemer Liveth 6:43
16. Messiah, No. 53a, Worthy Is the Lamb
3:12
17. Messiah, No. 53b, Amen 3:22
18. O magnum mysterium 2:43
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SITE RATING: 8/10
SITE
REVIEW: I was
unfamiliar with Ensemble Caprice before
stumbling upon this recording, but was
thrilled to hear the precision singing, and
joyous interpretation which conductor Marthais
Maute brings to this highlights disc. A
classic Baroque-period ensemble, the Ensemble
Caprice brings a feather-light touch, along
with bright, sharp accents to their playing -
which might strike some listeners as a bit too
precious in its decidedly idiosyncratic
pointillist style, but I found it engaging and
listenable; there is a definite sense of joy
and engagement in every number which makes
this riveting listening. Similarly, the
Ensemble Vocal-Arts Quebec is a small,
tightly-knit group of singers who - despite an
initial fear that they would allow their
individual vibratos to dominate, quickly won
me over with their strikingly unified attacks,
inimitable sense of give-and-play, and
remarkable sense of rightness which they bring
to their performance. The sole soloist,
soprano Karina Gauvin pales somewhat in
comparison, but it perfectly amiable and
clear-toned in her arias. This is a
sharp and distinctive performance, which only
made me wonder why the ensemble chose to only
give an abbreviated disc of highlights, rather
than a complete oratorio. Based on the
vivacity and sheer verve they bring to this
recording, I would love to have a complete
performance. Book-ended with two
non-Messiah tracks, which act as an
invocation/benediction - this is a recording
well worth streaming. Released
independently on Leaf Music out of Halifax,
Nova Scotia, this should add some welcome
cheer to your holiday listening.
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