Gaetano Veneziano: Christmas in Naples

Soprano Jenny Högström makes a vibrant impression in Gaetano Veneziano's Notturno...Mineccia [is] scarcely less impressive in his own Notturno. — BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2014, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 13th Oct 2014
Catalogue No: PC10307
Label: Pan Classics

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Veneziano: Notturno secondo, lezione prima

Jenny Högström (soprano) & Filippo Mineccia (countertenor)
Andrea Friggi

Veneziano: Notturno primo, lezione prima

Jenny Högström (soprano) & Filippo Mineccia (countertenor)
Andrea Friggi

Veneziano: Notturno primo, lezione terza

Jenny Högström (soprano) & Filippo Mineccia (countertenor)
Andrea Friggi

Scarlatti, A: Sinfonia prima di concerto grosso con due flauti

Jenny Högström (soprano) & Filippo Mineccia (countertenor)
Andrea Friggi

Scarlatti, A: Sinfonia seconda concertata con li ripieni

Jenny Högström (soprano) & Filippo Mineccia (countertenor)
Andrea Friggi

Scarlatti, A: Pastorale

a quattro voci con tromba e flauti
Jenny Högström (soprano) & Filippo Mineccia (countertenor)
Andrea Friggi

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Naples was famous throughout Europe in the 17th century for the variety of musical performances that took place during the course of the church year. Christmas was one of the feasts that was celebrated with particular splendour. On the present CD, the Ensemble Odyssee under the direction of Andrea Friggi introduces Nocturnes and Pastorals composed by Gaetano Veneziano (1656-1716) for the liturgy of Christmas services.

At the turn of the 18th century, Veneziano was one of the most important Neapolitan composers in the area of sacred music. Beginning in 1678 he was a member of the Cappella Reale, the direction of which he took over as successor to Alessandro Scarlatti in 1704.

The music of the Christmas pieces recorded here is notable for great richness of invention and particularly festive sounds. The vocal soloists are the young Swedish soprano Jenny Högström and the Italian countertenor Filippo Mineccia; the pleasant timbre of their voices and their unaffected performance style are eminently suitable to this cheerful and colourful music.

Reviews

Christmas 2014

Soprano Jenny Högström makes a vibrant impression in Gaetano Veneziano's Notturno...Mineccia [is] scarcely less impressive in his own Notturno.

December 2014

a programme of more than usual interest...a virtually flawless record…performed with such commitment and artistry that one is compelled to listen...a really enticing disc, proving that ‘authenticity’ in performance need not mean a reduction in musical enjoyment and enlightenment.

December 2014

The instrumental works are given excellent performances; the blending of recorders and violins is delightful. I am pretty sure that Veneziano's works are recorded here for the first time. They are well worth listening to, and suggest that Veneziano was a fine composer whose oeuvre deserves to be further explored.

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Gaetano Veneziano: Christmas in Naples

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