Title: Fascinating repertoire and convincing performance
Review: I was drawn to this recording by the CD of Schütz which Ensemble Akademia made with Jean Tubery and La Fenice (Pierre Verany). This is a fascinating disc of the Requiem which Cavalli composed for his own funeral. Although worlds away from the extravagance of Monteverdi's Vespers, this requiem blends elements of old and new with considerable virtuosity. The choral sound is warm, often dramatic and nearly always in tune; the minor errors of tuning are forgiveable in the face of the committment which the group brings to this music. The disc is rounded out with the four Marian antiphon settings from Cavalli's Musiche Sacre. I was particularly impressed by the very subtle connections which bind these antiphons to the Requiem; the pairing of these works seems entirely natural.
Is this product review negative?