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CD Review

Sacred Vocal Music from 18^th Century Switzerland

• F. Meyer von Schauensee: Te Deum laudamus
• Johannes Schmidlin:
• Gloria in excelsis Deo
• Magnificat anima mea Dominum
• Johann Caspar Bachofen:
• Schafelein wo bleibst du doch?
• Christi Tod, des Todes Tod
• Wo ist Jesus meine Liebe?
• Johann Jakob Walder: Drittes Morgen-Lied
• Johann Heinrich Egli: Auf meines Gottes treu

The Choir of Gonville & Caius College Cambridge/Geoffrey Webber
Cambridge Baroque Camerata/Jonathan Hellyer Jones
Guild GMCD7248 60m DDD

Guild is paving a lone yet illustrious path for neglected Swiss composers and this issue of some splendid choral music continues the revival apace.

Meyer is perhaps the best known composer (not to be confused with Mayr) and his 'Hymno ambrosiano' contains some of the best elements of the Lutheran tradition. Schmidlin's short 'Gloria' is also quite exquisite and it really does come to life in Webber and Jones' virile interpretation.

The real discovery on this disc must be Bachofen however. The exquisite 'Aria' a due' contains some rather beautiful vocal parts and the work is constructed in a sound, secure manner. The same goes for the Trio and Sonata & Aria which occasionally recall Bach.

Two short pieces by Walder preface the magnificent concluding Magnificat by Schmidlin which is another towering piece that duly deserves recognition. Guild's recording is excellent and the Webber-Jones combination is truly something to cherish. To sum up, this disc is a must for all choral enthusiasts who have the rich seam of 18^th-century baroque music at heart.

Copyright © 2003, Gerald Fenech