Quarterly Critic’s Choice
The best and most interesting new releases of the previous three months are awarded a place on the Quarterly Critic’s Choice. Evaluation criteria are artistic quality, repertoire value, presentation, and sound quality. From 2014 onward, the Long Lists are stored directly with each Quarterly Critic’s Choice.
Early Music
Werner: Masses and Motets
Gregor Joseph Werner: Masses and Motets (Vol. 3). Magdalene Harer, Anne Bierwirth, Tobias Hunger, Markus Flaig, Voktett Hannover, la festa musicale, Lajos Rovatkay. Audite 97.819 (Note 1)
As fascinating though early Haydn might be, it is an equal pleasure to discover the mature work of his predecessor at the Esterházy court. In this recording of masses and motets by Gregor Joseph Werner under the direction of Lajos Rovatkay – himself an important »old master« in his field – universality and diversity are combined in the most beautiful way. Profound knowledge of the Renaissance »Stile Antico«, precisely-applied expressivity and contrapuntal mastery of the Baroque are effortlessly united with instrumental virtuosity and with the striving for clarity and sensitive grace that came along with the dawning Classical period. For the jury: Carsten Niemann