Search - Niccolo Jommelli :: Niccolo Jommelli: Requiem / Veni Sponsa Christi

A neglected masterpiece, a so-so performance

Claude Greenmount | The Universe | 01/25/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"The organ is too loud, almost overpowering, the orchestra is often not in sync with the singers, and the soloists are often flat, particularly the male soloists. The performers are more known for the work with Wagner's music, but this shouldn't keep them from performing music of the early Classical period well.

It's a shame, as this particular work is a badly neglected masterpiece. There are private, archival recordings of this work availble, that would be a better way to acquaint yourself with the work.

There are some good moments, the soprano's Tremens facta sunt is very touching, and the Quando caeli fugue is quite exciting."