Vocal & Instrumental Works - J.M.Haydn

This recording offers us a close look into Michael Haydn’s musical activities for the church, the court and its surroundings. The Missa is perfectly in accord with the then current ideals for reform in the Catholic Church: functional, short, simple, modest and linked to the Gregorian tradition. It is amazing how Haydn was able to compose such varied, lively and attractive music within these strict guidelines. Even the simple setting of the Et incarnatus est is striking. In the Christmas Responses we hear the real “Salzburg” Haydn: a fluent setting of the text, animated motion in the violins, hurtling words and brief intimate moments. We can also hear a clear echo of the liturgical motets composed by the young Mozart. In the Ave Regina MH 140 he chooses a masterfully manipulated stilo antico in the best Venetian poly-choral tradition and was easily able to fill the immense Salzburg cathedral with the full lines of this strict polyphony. The Sinfonia in E flat and the lively Divertimento in A major are jewels that display all the carefree and inventive melodic, harmonic and structural strength of Michael Haydn - one good idea follows another and reveals Haydn’s mischievous but masterful hand. Founded by Florian Heyerick, Ex Tempore proves to be a versatile ensemble concentrating on a stylistically clear and musically captivating approach to Early, Romantic and Modern vocal music. In its original choice of programmes and its highly qualitative interpretations, the ensemble makes an important contribution to the expansion and renewal of the vocal repertoire. Florian Heyerick is much in demand as a guest conductor for several internationally renowned choirs and orchestras. His fresh approach, stylistic insight into many different styles and periods and his striving for professionalism in vocal music are greatly valued by many musicians and organisations both in Belgium and abroad. The Academia Palatina is a flexible “project orchestra”, formed when two important artists came together in a unique international collaboration: Florian Heyerick and the English viol player John Holloway. The ensemble plays only on historic instruments. The Marcolini Quartett performs the standard quartet repertoire from a historic standpoint. It strives for living performances of music for string quartet from the 18th century and is now beginning to perform the fascinating music of the Romantic period from a similar historical viewpoint.