Mazzocchi: Le Temple et le Désir

Ensemble Elyma, Garrido, Gabriel

CDB 004

Domenico Mazzocchi (1592-1665) was a Roman composer who spent part of his career in the service of the Vatican. He composed both sacred and secular vocal music, developing the pioneering principles of Monteverdi's 'seconda prattica'. As this present disc sets out to demonstrate, the results are fascinating and impressive. This survey of the various sacred and secular forms exercised by Mazzocchi is performed by the Elyma Ensemble, directed by Gabriel Garrido. They boast an exceptionally fine group of eleven solo voices, further supported by a chorus and instrumental ensemble. As is indicated by the title, the choice of works concentrates on the expression of the interwoven themes of sacred devotion and secular love. The opening 'Dialogo della Cantica', expressing love of Christ, is scored for solo soprano voice with a rich accompaniment of viols and continuo instruments, with soprano echo effects and with other voices joining in towards the end. It is not clear whether the words represent the feelings of the Virgin Mary or of Mary Magdalene; but it is an expressive, elegaic piece, its solo part beautifully sung by Maria Cristina Kiehr. The total effect is beautiful, especially at its close.

CD

1.04.2016

3383510005046