La Nuova Musica & David Bates - Sacrifices (2014) [Official Digital Download 24/88]

David Bates leads La Nuova Musica in 'Sacrifices', a programme of intensely dramatic oratorios from the mid Baroque. Three poignant tales of denail and sacrifice: St Peter's denial of Christ; Abraham's [narrowly averted] sacrifice of his son Isaac; and the Old Testament story of Jepthe, the hero commander who, before leading the Israelites into battle against the Ammonites, vows to God that if he is victorious, he will sacrifice the first living thing he meets upon his return. Unfortunately it is his darling daughter, who dances out to greet him with cymbals and flutes. Jepthe must honour his vow… In a dramatic lament, th edaughter [she is never named] asks the mountains to bewail her fate - they answer in echoes; this is followed by one of the most moving choruses in all 17th C music. Belgian soprano Sophie Juncker is the daughter [and one to watch].

La Nuova Musica is established in the UK with regular appearances at the London Handel, the Spitalfields and Aldeburgh International festivals, and has achieved worldwide recognition and outreach through a five-record deal with harmonia mundi USA. Its debut recording for the label, released in March 2012, a world premiere on CD of the 1712 version of Handel’s 'Il pastor Fido', was proclaimed as the arrival of “an exceptionally talented young British ensemble” (Opera magazine). A second release, of Handel and Vivaldi 'Dixit Dominus', followed in 2013. After its recent debut at Wigmore Hall – performing Francesco Conti’s 'L’Issipile' with an all-star cast – The Guardian acclaimed the group as going “from strength to strength”. A disc of Handel, Bononcini and Ariosti arias, with countertenor Lawrence Zazzo, will be released on October 13th.

“To these affecting narratives (separated by instrumental interludes by De Brossard), La Nuova Musicabring superbly straight tone, unerring tuning and plangent phrasing.” (The Observer)

“Without the harrowing visual element one can more easily appreciate how intensely moving these cantatas are in their own right. Sacrifice may be the theme but sensuality predominates. Beautiful, cleanly etched singing and playing” (The Times)

Tracklist:
01. Symphonie pour le Graduel ajouté à la Missa Gaudeamus Omnes de François Cosset (ré majeur), SdB. 229
02. Cum caenasset Jesus
03. Ecce Judas
04. Tunc respexit Jesus Petrum
05. Symphonie pour le Graduel ajouté à la Missa S. Antonii Padovani de Bartholomeo Baldrati (Sol Mineur), SdB. 228
06. Cum centum esset annorum Abraham
07. Abraham, Abraham!
08. Et pergentes pariter
09. Et reversus Abraham ad pueros suos
10. i.
11. ii. Rondeau
12. iii. Rigaudon
13. iv.
14. v.
15. Cum vocasset in proelium
16. Incipite in tympanis
17. Cantemus omnes Domino
18. Cum vidisset Jephte
19. Plorate colles
20. Plorate, filii Israel

Personnel:
La Nuova Musica:
Sophie Junker, soprano (Filia)
Rob Murray, tenor (Jepthe)
Mhairi Lawson, soprano (Sara)
Simon Wall, tenor (Abraham)
Nicholas Scott, tenor (Isaac)
Alice Gribbin, soprano (Juvenis)
Bojan Cicic, violin
Sabine Stoffer, violin
Stefanie Heichelheim, viola
Rachel Stott, viola
Tomasz Pokrzywinski, basse de violon
David Miller, theorbo
Nathaniel Mander, harpsichord
David Bates, conductor