Early music expert Kees Koudstaal presents the most beautiful and recent CDs with old and classical music. Attention is given to the new CDs by Vox Luminis, Tim Mead, PRISMA, Guido Balestracci, and RIAS Kammerchor Berlin & Academy für Alte Musik Berlin.
1. Johann Philipp Förtsch (1652-1732)
– “Selig sind die Toten”
Performers: Vox Luminis conducted by Lionel Meunier
(cd: “Ein Deutsches Barockrequiem,” Ricercar RIC 455, 2023)
2. John Blow (1649-1708)
– “Lovely Selina”
3. Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
– “By Beauteous Softness”
Performers: Tim Mead, countertenor. La Nuova Musica conducted by David Bates
(cd: “Beauteous Softness,” Pentatone PTC 5187047, 2023)
4. John Eccles (1668-1735)
– From “The Mad Lover”: Slow air
5. Henry Purcell (1659-1695)
– From “Timon of Athens”: Curtain Tune
6. Traditional: “Skye Boat Song”
Performers: PRISMA
(cd: “In the Streets of London,” Fuga Libera FUG 814, 2023)
7. Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach (1714-1788)
– Sonata in D major for viola da gamba and basso continuo Wq 137 (H559)
Performers: Guido Balestracci, viola da gamba. Paolo Corsi, harpsichord. Stéphanie Houillon, viola da gamba
(cd: “Virtuosity and Grace,” Arcana A543, 2023)
8. George Frideric Handel (1685-1759)
– Coronation Anthem: “Zadok the Priest”
Performers: RIAS Kammerchor Berlin and Academy für Alte Musik Berlin conducted by Justin Doyle
(cd: “Coronation Anthems,” Harmonia Mundi HMM 902708, 2023)
