Gregor Werner (1695-1766) began directing the fortunes of the Esterházy court band, the Hofkapelle, on 10 May 1728. He was an industrious man. Forty Masses, three Requiems, three Te Deums, fourOffertories, twelve Vespers, twelve Good Friday oratorios, approximately eighteen oratorios, a hundred and thirty-three antiphons and a multitude of instrumental pieces and minor works testify to his fertile creative spirit. Little is known of his youth. He is sure to have spent an lengthy period in Vienna. The quodlibets “Bauren- Richters-Wahl” and “Der Wienner- ische Tandelmarkt” demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the Viennese background and spoken dialect in the Late Baroque period. His skilful counterpoint style suggests a connec- tion to the Court Kapellmeister J.J. Fux (1660-1741).Werner seems to have found utter fulfilment in his work for the princely band. It seems he did not undertake any further travels. Isolated in the eastern region of the empire he wrote one musical gem after another. His oeuvre reveals the early a-capella style as well as the Baroque concer- tante style of the turn of the century.As with Fux, there are no “lazy parts” in his counterpoint settings.Throughout his life he remained true to the idiom of Baroque music-making and refused to adapt in any way to new fashions. Thus it is no wonder that he is supposed to have spoken disparagingly of Joseph Haydn as “G`sanglmacher” – “common songwriter” – and “Modehansl” – fashion lackey.Nevertheless Haydn’s regard for this famous master was so high that he worked during the last months of his life on the edition and publishing of Werner’s quartets! What a delight that Werner's music is dusted off now by Ars Antiqua Austria!

• Wykonawca Ars Antiqua Austria
• Data premiery 2012-11-01
• Nośnik CD

A comprehensive programme of arias from such famous English oratorios as Esther, Saul, Belshazzar, Theodora, Judas Maccabaeus and Solomon. These oratorios contain a wealth of arias, duets and splendid overtures, of which one overture, eleven arias, and two beautiful duets are included here. The world-famous countertenor James Bowman is joined by The King’s Consort and the renowned soprano Susan Gritton. ‘This beautiful collection of songs and duets from Handel oratorios finds the 52-year-old English countertenor in quite amazing form... his voice.

• Wykonawca Gritton Susan , Bowman James , The King's Consort
• Data premiery 2012-11-01
• Nośnik CD

Giacomo Carissimi (1605-1674) was the greatest exponent of the Latin sacred historia (oratorio). He spent his whole life in Rome as maestro di cappella at the San Apollinare church. In his music, Carissimi perfectly embraced the views of his employers on appropriate means for stimulating faith. With dramatic flair, remarkable imagination, and a verbal sensitivity equal to Monteverdi's, he brought Biblical characters vividly to life. Carissimi’s oratorios (historiae), known from later copies, remain his greatest claim to fame. They were quite varied, and some may be considered to be motets in dialogue. They are difficult to date and their libretti were anonymous — Carissimi may have collaborated in writing them.

• Wykonawca Les Voix Baroques
• Data premiery 2010-01-01
• Nośnik CD

BACH JS - ORATORIOS BWV 249 (FINAL VERSION), BWV 11

• Wykonawca Various Artists
• Data premiery 2005-01-01
• Nośnik CD

Helmuth Rilling's recordings of numerous large oratorios during the past few decades have become the standard reference. Not the least because of the work of his long-time ensemble and the many outstanding singers. Above all, his inspiring Haydn recordings belong to Rilling's most spirited interpretations.The two great oratorios of Haydn's late period "The Creation" and "The Seasons" are among the most impressive works in all of music history. In them, the composer explored the fundamental conditions of human existence and set them convincingly to music. "The Creation" was completed in 1798 and performed in March of the following year for the first time in Vienna. It quickly spread throughout Europe and is still one of Haydn's most successful pieces.

• Wykonawca Various Artists
• Data premiery 2013-03-01
• Nośnik CD

British countertenor Iestyn Davies is one of the fastest rising stars on the concert and opera circuit. Following his highly acclaimed recording of Porpora cantatas, he returns for a second solo album with Hyperion, a selection of arias written for Gaetano Guadagni. Italian-born Guadagni was the first ‘modern’ castrato, famed all over Europe for the lyric purity of his voice and his powerful, naturalistic acting style. Not only did he enjoy a close artistic relationship with Handel, who nurtured Guadagni’s voice to fit the alto roles in his English oratorios, but he effectively created the role of Orpheus in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, an opera he thoroughly made his own. Here, Iestyn Davies is joined again by the renowned period-instrument band Arcangelo, directed by Jonathan Cohen

• Wykonawca Davies Iestyn
• Data premiery 2012-04-01
• Nośnik CD