Zelenka - Sub olea pacis et palma virtutis

Sub olea pacis et palma virtutis conspicua orbi regia Bohemiae Corona: Melodrama de Sancto Wenceslao (Under the Olive Tree of Peace and the Palm Tree of Virtue the Crown of Bohemia Splendidly Shines Before the Whole World: Melodrama to Saint Wenceslas, ZWV 175) is an extensive composition, written in 1723. The composition was performed using authentic instruments of the Baroque era. Performed by Musica Florea, Musica Aeterna, Ensemble Philidor, Boni Pueri; soloists Noémi Kiss (soprano), Anna Hlavenková (soprano), Jaroslav Březina ([tenor), Adam Zdunikowsi (tenor), Aleš Procházka (bass), Markus Foerster (countertenor), conducetd Marek Štryncl (2000). This recording was awarded by Grand Prix du Disque.

ZSO

Vejvanovský - Sonate e serenade

Pavel Josef Vejvanovský was is a Czech composer of the middle baroque period. He composed about 120, largely orchestral works with dominant roles for brass as a trumpet virtuoso. He wrote spiritual as well as secular works, but in his later works he was able to master most typical idioms of the day. He seems to have struggled with imitative counterpoint and his most compelling pieces are characterised by charming folk idioms and virtuosic brass writing. He composed in a wide variety of genres ranging from large-scale Mass settings and music for special feast days to more intimate sonatas and suites.

VSS

Zelenka - Il Diamante

Il Diamante is the ultimate secular work of Jan Dismas Zelenka. Il Diamante is the only known contribution Zelenka made to the genre of serenata. Zelenka writing a great secular work for Dresden court society late in his life. His music as a part of a politically important ceremonial occasion at court - none of this corresponds with the traditional image of Zelenka as an overshadowed composer held in low esteem by the court; nothing can be more far from the truth according to newly found sources, one of which has a contemporary of Zelenka describing him as the "perfect Virtuoso", whose music gives a "foretaste of heavenly pleasure". With this in mind we can look forward to a new, revised way of looking at the greatest Czech baroque composer, considered as some "catholic counterpoint to J.S.Bach". Furthermore, we can enjoy his incredible music - and rejoice over the new diamond discovered amongst Zelenka's works.This recordings is performed by Ensemble Inégal, Prague Baroque Soloists, conducted by Adam Viktora.

ZID

Zelenka - Missa ultimarum sexta

Missa ultimarum sexta - Missa omnium sanctorum of Jan Dismas Zelenka belongs to his final five pieces (ZWV 17–21), commonly called "High Mass" compositions, written between 1736 and 1741 and considered as Zelenka's compositional peak. The last three incl.this one are also called "Missae ultimae" (Last Masses).

MUS

Michna - Missa à 7, Cantiones, Requiem

Adam Václav Michna z Otradovic (1600 – 1676) was a Czech catholic poet, composer, organist and choir leader of early baroque era. About 230 of his compositions from three Czech and two Latin collections are known today. This album content his masses and cantiones. Performed by Capella regia muscialis with conductor Robert Hugo and soloists Stanislav Předota, Milada Čechalová, Magdalena Černá, Jana Lewitová, Michael Pospíšil and Marcin Bornus Sczycinski. Thius recording was awareded by Grammy Classics in 1993.

MMR

Zelenka - The Lamentations of Jeremiah

Lamentationes pro hebdomada sancta, for soloists & chorus ("Lamentationes Jeremiae prophetae") of Jan Dismas Zelenka, perfomed by  Michael Chance (countertenor), John Ainsley (tenor), Michael George (bass) and Chandos Baroque Players

ZLJ

Zelenka - Trio Sonatas 1-6

6 trio sonatas for two oboes (or violin and oboe), bassoon and basso continuo by Jan Dismas Zelenka, performed by: Jana Brožková - oboe, Vojtěch Jouza - oboe, Václav Hoskovec - double bass, Jan Jouza - violin, Jaroslav Kubita - bassoon, F.X.Thuri - harpsichord. These sonatas, typical of the period, are fourmovement sonatas known as “da chiesa" and comprise one of the highpoints of Zelenka's contrapunctal art. He broke with the traditional conception of the trio sonata by enhancing the role of the bassoon, giving it an independent melodic voice instead of using it to merely accompany.

ZTS

Zelenka - Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis

"Missa Santissimae Trinitis", (The Holiest Trinity Mass) in A-minor, ZWV 17 of Jan Dismas Zelenka was completed in 1736 as the first of five "High Mass" compositions he wrote in the last ten years of his life. The mass is divided into 19 individual parts. The orchestra parts are independent and often dominate over the simple homophonic chorus. The influence of the concerto structure is revealed in the contrast between solo vocal and choral parts. The opposite pole of the chorus concerto are the massive choral fugues - their dialogue here is not only demonstration of technical mastery of the composer, but also of intellectual depth and significance of the work. Performed by Musica Florea, Boni Pueri, conducted by Marek Štryncl. World premiere recording

ZMT

Zelenka - Magnificat, Psalm 129, Litanie Omnium Sanctorum, Salve Regina

The Magnificat, ZWV 108 of Jan Dismas Zelenka was performed for the first time by Johann Subastian  Bach in Leipzig 1729-1735. It is necessary to quote the liner notes its final "Amen" was copied by J.S. Bach's son Wilhelm Friedeman for use by the Thomaner Choir, at Bach's request. Psalm 129 was written to commemorate Zelenka's father's death. This recording is performed by Prague Chamber Orchestra, Czech Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Pavel Kühn and Lubomír Mátl with soloists Stanislav Bogunia, Jan Hora, Jana Jonášová, Joachim Vogt, Miroslav Kopp et al.

ZMF

Michna - Missa Super "The Sun has Come Forth from the Star"

Missa Super "Již slunce z hvězdy vyšlo" (The Sun has Come Forth from the Star) by the ensemble Ritornello, conducted by Michal Pospíšil is a compilative album, artificially creating long version of Adam Michna Christmas Mass by adding various thematically similar compositions to standard liturgical parts of his mass. Michna’s mass, becomes a great and even the greatest musical form precisely when it is placed in the context of everything ”that belongs to it” in the ritual itself and in music.

MMS

Zelenka - Il serpente di bronzo

Jan Dismas Zelenka´s the Cantata sacra "Il serpente di bronzo", composed in 1730, is sure to become a tidbit for all those in search of rediscovered compositions by the giants of Baroque music. The recording was made by world-acclaimed specialists in Baroque music using authentic period instruments. Performed by Ensemble Inégal, conducted by Adam Viktora with soloists Alex Potter - alto, Petra Noskaiová – alto, Hana Blažíková – soprano, Peter Kooij – bass, Jaroslav Březina - tenor. This recording record is a world premiere.

ZSB

Vejvanovský, Zach, Černohorský, Brentner, Rovenský, Linek, Michna - Czech Baroque Music, Vol.2

Collection of Czech Baroque music, vol.2, including compositions of Pavel Josef Vejvanovský (~1640-1693), Jan Josef Ignác Brentner (1689-1742), Bohuslav Matěj Černohorský (1684-1742), Václav Karel Holan Rovenský (~1644-1718), Adam Václav Michna z Otradovic (~1600-1676), Jiří Ignác Linek (1725-1791) and Jan Zach (1699-1773).

CB2

Zelenka - Requiem in D minor, Miserere

Requiem in D minor, ZWV 48, Miserere in C minor, ZWV 57 of Jan Dismas Zelenka performed by Magdalena Kožená (Alto), Helena Pellarová (Soprano), Michal Pospišil (Bass), Ladislav Richter (Tenor), Anna Hlavenková (Soprano), conductor: Roman Válek, Czech Chamber Chorus and Ensemble Baroque in 1994.

ZRM

Černohorský - Laudetur Jesus Christus

Bohuslav Matěj Černohorský (1684-1742) was a famous Czech composer of the baroque era. Unlike so many of his Czech contemporaries, he achieved fame in his lifetime. In his finest works he was able to combine the Czech love for instrumental virtuosity and folk-influenced melodic ideas with accomplished contrapuntal skills. He mainly wrote motets, choral and organ solo works. His fugue “Laudeatur Jesus Christus” is cited by the Baroque Music Library as an excellent example of its kind.

CLJ

Zelenka - Missa purificationis Beatae Virginis Mariae; Litaniae lauretanae "Consolatrix afflictorum"

Zelenka´s Missa purificationis or „Our Lady´s Purification“ Mass comes out in a world premiere in a breath-taking rendition by Adam Viktora and Ensemble Inégal. The recording was made using authentic period instruments at the Church of Our Lady under Chains in Prague. The mass is followed by Litaniae lauretanae „Consolatrix afflictorum“.

ZMP

Michna - Officium vespertinum

The collection of psalms Officium vespertinum (1648) of Adam Václav Michna, the Knight of Otradovice was long thought lost and it was recently discovered in Austria. It was dedicated to the Town Council of České Budějovice in southern Bohemia, on 1 October 1648.The album, performed by Capella regia musicalis under direction of Robert Hugo, playing original instruments of the early Baroque era,;contents apart from the psalms also other compositions of A.Michna, that complete the aural picture of mid-seventeenth century music.

MOV

Brixi Š. - Magnificat

Šimon Brixi (1693– 735) was a Czech baroque composer, the father of František Brixi. Only about 21 of his compositions have been preserved. He wrote offertoria, gradualia, Regina Coeli, Salve Reginas, requiems, litanies, Te Deums, and church cantatas. In some of his works Brixi also thematically elaborated folk spiritual music. Brixi was also influenced by the church compositions of Jan Dismas Zelenka. He composed his works both on Czech and Latin texts. Performed by Sofia Boys Choir, Adriana Blagoeva

BSM

Zelenka - Complete Orchestral Works

3 CD set of complete orchestral works by Jan Dismas Zelenka, so 5 Capriccios, Hipocondrie à 7 Concertanti, Concerto à 8 Concertanti, Simphonie à 8 Concertanti, Ouverture à 7 Concertanti, and "Symphonia" from "Sub olea pacis - Melodrama de Sancto Wenceslao". Performed by Das Neu-Eroffnette Orchestre, conducted by Jurgen Sonnentheil.

ZOW

Ryba, Brixi F.X., Linek, Bříza, Brixi Š., Kuchař, Seger - Christmas at the Holy Mountain

Czech Christmas and Epiphany music, which in the Basilica of the Holy Mountain (Svatá Hora) traditionally echoes at the feast of Christ's birth. The album contents baroque, classical and neoclassical tracks by composer Jakub Jan Ryba, František Xaver Brixi, Karel Bříza, Šimon Brixi, Jiří Ignác Linek, Jan Křtitel Kuchař and Josef Seger. To the recording was added the sound of of church bells and clocks of Svatá Hora. Performed by Choir of the Holy Mountain.

CHM

Michna - Loutna česká (Czech Lute)

Adam Václav Michna of Otradovice (1600-1676) is one of the most significant personalitiy of early Czech baroque. While the majority of his works remind us of the music from traditional hymn books, The Czech Lute is written (as the author mentioned) for Holidays, for the Church, at the table, as one wishes, for any time, for pleasure, for devotion, composed and published in 1653. It comes much closer to a modern cycle of love songs. 

AML