Dixit Dominus – Handel & Vivaldi

G. F. Handel (1685-1759) Dixit Dominus HWV232 | A. Vivaldi (1678-1741) Dixit Dominus RV807 | In furore iustissimae RV626 

David Bates leads La Nuova Musica in a pair of contrasting settings of Psalm 109 for harmonia mundi USA. Handel’s masterful and ambitious HWV 282 was penned in 1707 during a youthful visit to Italy. Vivaldi’s vivid and economical RV 807 (his third “Dixit Dominus”) was long mistakenly attributed to Baldassare Galuppi; it probably dates from the early 1730s. Rounding out the programme is Vivaldi’s dazzling motet for solo voice, in furore iustissimae irae, featuring soprano Lucy Crowe.

“The central solo cantata In furore giustissimae irae, RV 626, of Vivaldi will not be appearing on any amateur choral series; it’s a punishingly difficult work, probably composed for the power of the male castrato, and it receives a speaker-shredding performance here from soprano Lucy Crowe. …..With clear studio sound from Harmonia Mundi, this release merits a place in any Baroque choral library.” 

Rupert Christiansen – The Daily Telegraph

harmonia mundi USA HMU80758