Musicaeterna

MusicAeterna, Teodor Currentzis – Mozart: Requiem KV 626 (2011)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/48 kHz | Time – 46:44 minutes | 484 MB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Alpha

This release stands out from among both the dozens or hundreds of available recordings of Mozart’s Requiem in D minor, K. 626, and from among the recordings in the catalog of France’s Alpha label. On the latter count, while most of Alpha’s recordings have been historically oriented, this one falls into glorious Russian tradition of luxurious expression, and the usual art-historical essay included with Alpha’s discs is missing here (although the packaging does bear some gorgeous Byzantine iconography). The recording pairs four western European soloists, who traveled all the way to Novosibirsk for the lengthy recording sessions, with the New Siberian Singers and the chamber orchestra MusicAeterna under its conductor, Teodor Currentzis. This is not a large choir (33 singers), but it has the rich sound associated with Russian opera choruses, which is what this group does as a general rule. If you’re thinking this sounds a bit like Mozart as conducted by Rachmaninov, you’re about right, especially in the sections where the dying Mozart seems to gaze into the fires of hell. The considerably more delicate soloists, especially alto Stéphanie Houtzeel, make a vivid contrast with the choir in this deeply colored, almost raw performance, which is nevertheless very carefully done in its details and sonically matched to the Novosibirsk opera house where it was recorded. By any measure this choir is a striking new talent.

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Musicaeterna, Teodor Currentzis – Mozart: Le nozze di Figaro, K.492 (Dramma giocoso in quattro atti) (2014)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/192 kHz | Time – 02:56:29 minutes | 5,30 GB | Genre: Classical
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Sony Classical

Sony Classical announces a major new Mozart opera project with conductor Teodor Currentzis and his orchestra & choir MusicAeterna. A ‘no-compromise’ studio recording cycle of Mozart’s three Da Ponte operas. Living in a unique artistic community established on the edge of Siberia, the musicians work and record under ideal conditions towards Currentzis’ stated goal “to show what can be achieved if you avoid the factory approach of the classical music mainstream”.

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