Sunday Classics "loose ends": A return visit to "Exsultate, jubilate"

by Ken

I mentioned in last night's "loose ends" installment that tonight we would be hearing soprano Christine Schäfer singing from a CD of works for voice and orchestra by Mozart and Richard Strauss. This is a CD I knew I had but just couldn't locate when we were listening to Mozart's infectiously glorious early motet Exsultate, jubilate, inspired by the Columbia LP coupling of George Szell's Cleveland Orchestra recordings of it, with soprano Judith Raskin, and the Sinfonia concertante (with the orchestra's then-concertmaster and principal viola, Rafael Druian and Abraham Skernick).


MOZART: Exsultate, jubilate (motet), K. 165

i. Allegro, "Exsultate, jubilate"
Rejoice and be glad,
ye blessed spirits,
singing sweet songs;
the heavens join with me
echoing your chant.
[4:36]
ii. Recitative, "Fulget amica dies"
The friendly day is shining
now that clouds and storms have fled;
sudden calm has risen on the just.
Dark night reigned all around;
but now arise in gladness,
ye who until now were afraid,
and offer leaves and lilies
with a generous hand,
rejoicing in the happy dawn.
[5:28]
iii. Andante, "Tu virginum corona"
Thou crown of virgins,
give us peace;
and console our minds
and our heavy hearts.
[11:20]
iv. Allegro, "Alleluja"
Alleluja! [and so on, and on]

Christine Schäfer, soprano; Berlin Philharmonic, Claudio Abbado, cond. DG, recorded September 1997

IN THE CLICK-THROUGH WE HAVE MOZART
AND STRAUSS BONUSES. JUST CLICK HERE

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