[ Deutsche Harmonia Mundi / CD ]
Release Date: Friday 4 August 2017
Johann Joseph Fux served for many years as the imperial court's Kapellmeister in Vienna, and is one of the best known and most important composers of that period. In times of the most fervent religious faith, during which the Habsburg Emperor considered piety the foremost virtue of a ruling sovereign as well as indispensable as the basis for organizing society, the roles of the Kapellmeister and court orchestra were of essential importance. Fux composed many sacred works for public church services that functioned as a visible sign of the close connection between church and state. In addition to Masses, Requiem Masses and Vespers, Marian antiphons and sonatas for performance at the Gradual took on special importance. Known for the precision of its historically informed performances, Accentus Austria and its conductor Thomas Wimmer have selected a musically absorbing and diverse program of sonatas and antiphons by Fux for this CD. The works by Fux featured on this disc are never monotonous - in fact, they surprise the listener with their musical refinement and wide-ranging tonal language. This new release includes wonderful Ave Regina antiphons in outstanding performances by soprano Hana Blažíková
"Hana Blazikova uses her voice a little like another instrument in the ensemble, increasing the tension throughout the pieces. Ensemble Accentus Austria are restrained in their accompaniment, but always precise and to the point, and all of these pieces quite naturally convey an inward religiosity." Five Stars FonoForum
"It is good to see this release showcasing some of the material [Fux] provided for the Imperial Court Chapel...The music is well constructed...but don't expect it to change your life." Gramophone
Ave Regina, K206
Ave Regina, K208
Sonata à 3 K367
Alma redemptoris, K185
Ave Regina caelorum K207
Sonata à 3 K379
Sonata à 3 K377
Pia Mater fons amoris, K176
Sonata pastorale a tre, K397
Sonata à 4, K346
Alma redemptoris, K187
Ave Regina caelorum K205
Sonata à 3 K369