Les Contre-ténors

Les Contre-ténors
Mythes et Réalités (with a book by Peter Giles)
Various counter-tenors
Harmonia mundi "Passerelles" HMB 590 017 / 18 [CDx2]

Contents:

    Saint Godric
  1. Crist and Sainte Marie

    2. Anon., Carmina Burana - Le mystère de la Passion
  2. Scene of Mary-Magdalena, 4th intervention of the angel: Dico tibi

    3. Alessandro Scarlatti: Il primo omicidio
  3. Parte secunda: Voce de Dio "Adam prole tu chiedi, e prole avrai"

    4. Oswald von Wolkenstein
  4. Durch Barbarei, Arabia

    5. Cunelier, Codex Chantilly
  5. Se Galaas et le puissant Artus

    6. Josquin Desprez
  6. Déploration sur la mort de Johannes Ockeghem

    7. William Byrd
  7. In Assumptione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

    8. John Dowland
  8. Flow my tears

    9. Michel Lambert
  9. Laisse-moy soupirer

    10. John Blow
  10. The self-banished

    11. Michel Lambert
  11. Vos mespris chaque jour

    12. Pelham Humfrey
  12. A Hymne to God the Father

    13. Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Leçons de Ténèbres Du Mercredy Sainct
  13. Responsory: Amicus meus H. 113

    14. Pelham Humfrey
  14. Hear, O Heav'ns

    15. Henry Purcell: King Arthur
  15. For folded flocks

    16. Henry Purcell
  16. Te Deum (exc.)

    17. Henry Purcell: Wellcome to all pleasures
  17. Here the deities approve

    18. Henry Purcell: Hail, bright Cecilia
  18. Tis nature's voice

    19. Antonio Vivaldi: Stabat Mater
  19. Stabat Mater dolorosa

    20. François Couperin
  20. Troisième Leçon de Ténèbres

    21. Georg Friedrich Handel: Giustino
  21. Act III, scene 8: Giustino "Sollevar'il mondo oppresso"

    22. Georg Friedrich Handel: Radamisto
  22. Act I, scene 6: Radamisto "Perfido, di a qu'ell empio tiranno"

    23. Georg Friedrich Handel: Flavio
  23. Act II, scene 6: Guido "Rompo i lacci"

    24. Georg Friedrich Handel: Serse
  24. Acte I, scene 9 "Ombra mai fù"

    25. Georg Friedrich Handel: Messiah
  25. O thou that tellest
  26. But who may abide

    27. Antonio Caldara: Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo
  27. Parte seconda, No 38: Amor Celeste, Amor Terreno "A tuo dispetto, Amor Terreno"

    28. CD-2

    Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat
  28. Esurientes

    29. Johann Sebastian Bach: Trauer-Ode BWV 198
  29. Recitativo & Aria: Der Glocken bebendes Getön - Wie starb die Heldin so vergnügt

    30. Johann Sebastian Bach: Der Streit zwischen Phoebus und Pan, BWV 201
  30. Mercurius: Aufgeblasne Hitze

    31. Anon.
  31. English drinking song: Of all the brave birds

    32. Benjamin Britten: A Midsummer's night dream
  32. I know a bank

    33. Georg Friedrich Handel: Flavio
  33. Act II, scene 7: Flavio "Chi può mirare"

    34. Johann Sebastian Bach: Mass in b minor
  34. Qui sedes ad dexteram

    35. Anon., Folksong
  35. I will give my love an apple

    36. Johann Sebastian Bach: Matthäus-Passion
  36. Zweiter Teil: Erbarme dich

    37. Luca Marenzio: Second Book of Madrigals
  37. Madrigal (a 5): Strider faceva

    38. Juan Vásquez
  38. El que sin ti bivir, ya no querriìa

    39. William Croft
  39. My time, o ye Muses

    40. Josquin Desprez
  40. Petite Camusette

    41. Henry Purcell
  41. Music for a while

    42. Antonio Caldara: Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo
  42. Parte prima, No 12: Amor Celeste "Spera, consolati"

    43. François Couperin
  43. Deuxième Leçon de Ténèbres (exc.)

    44. Henry Purcell
  44. Since from my dear Astrea's sight

    45. Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
  45. Abendempfindung

    46. Heinrich Schütz: Kleine geistliche Konzerte SWV 290
  46. Wohl dem, der nicht wandelt,

    47. Giovanni Battista Pergolesi
  47. Duos: Quando corpus morietur & Amen

    48. John Dowland
  48. I saw my Lady weep

Playing time: 76' 14" + 77' 13" = 2h 33' 27"

Performers:
[1] David James (counter-tenor), The Hilliard Ensemble - Paul Hillier, dir.
[2] Dominique Visse (counter-tenor), Ensemble Organum - Marcel Pérès, dir.
[3] René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Akademie für Alte Musik - René Jacobs, dir.
[4] Drew Minter (counter-tenor)
[5] Gérard Lesne (counter-tenor), Josep Benet (tenor), Josep Cabré (baritone)
[6] Dominique Visse (counter-tenor).
[7] Chanticleer Men's Choir
[8], [48] Alfred Deller (counter-tenor), Robert Spencer (lute)
[9] René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Konrad Junghänel (theorb, lute), Wieland Kuijken (bass viola)
[10] Alfred Deller (counter-tenor), Desmond Dupré (viola da gamba), Robert Elliott (harpsichord)
[11] René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Konrad Junghänel (theorb, lute), Wieland Kuijken (bass viola), Mihoko Kimura (violon), Dirk Verelst (violin)
[12] Alfred Deller (counter-tenor), Desmond Dupré (viola da gamba), Robert Elliott (harpsichord)
[13] René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Concerto Vocale - René Jacobs, dir.
[14] Drew Minter (counter-tenor), John Potter (tenor), David Thomas (bass). Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Romanesca - Nicholas McGegan, dir.
[15] Mark Deller (counter-tenor), The King's Musick, Alfred Deller, dir.
[16] The Deller Consort, Allfred Deller (counter-tenor & director
[17] Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Collegium Vocale - Philippe Herreweghe, dir.
[18] Drew Minter (counter-tenor), Paul O'Dette (lute), Mitzi Meyerson (organ)
[19] Andreas Scholl (counter-tenor), Ensemble 415 - Clara Banchini, dir.
[20] René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Vincent Darras (counter-tenor), Concerto Vocale - René Jacobs, dir.
[21] Michael Chance (counter-tenor), Freiburger Barockorchester, Nicholas McGegan, dir.
[22] Ralf Popken (counter-tenor), Freiburger Barockorchester, Nicholas McGegan, dir.
[23] Derek Lee Ragin (counter-tenor), Ensemble 415 - René Jacobs, dir.
[24] Andreas Scholl (counter-tenor), Akademie fü Alte Musik, Berlin
[25], [26] Andreas Scholl (counter-tenor), Les Arts Florissants - William Christie, dir.
[27] Bernarda Fink (alto), Andreas Scholl (counter-tenor),. Orchestra of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis - René Jacobs, dir.
[28] Gérard Lesne (alto), La Chapelle Royale, Collegium Vocale - Philippe Herreweghe, dir.
[29] Charles Brett (alto), La Chapelle Royale - Philippe Herreweghe, dir.
[30] Andreas Scholl (alto), Akademie für Alte Musik - René Jacobs, dir.
[31] Peter Giles. Martin Renshaw (tenor), Anthony Bussel (baritone)
[32] Alfred Deller (counter-tenor - Oberon), English Opera Group Orchestra - Benjamin Britten, dir. (Original BBC recording, june 10th 1960)
[33] Jeffrey Gall (counter-tenor), Ensemble 415 - René Jacobs, dir.
[34] Andreas Scholl (alto), Collegium Vocale, Philippe Herreweghe, dir.
[35] Andreas Scholl (counter-tenor), Andreas Martin (lute)
[36] René Jacobs (alto), La Chapelle Royale, Collegium Vocale, Philippe Herreweghe, dir.
[37], [43] René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Concerto Vocale - René Jacobs, dir.
[38] Ensemble Clément Janequin, Dominique Visse (counter-tenor & director)
[39] Alfred Deller (counter-tenor), Desmond Dupré (viola da gamba), Robert Elliott (harpsichord)
[40] Ensemble Clément Janequin, Dominique Visse (counter-tenor & director)
[41] Andreas Scholl (counter-tenor), Orchestra of the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis - René Jacobs, dir.
[42] Drew Minter (counter-tenor), Paul O'Dette (lute)
[43] René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Concerto Vocale - René Jacobs, dir.
[44] Alfred Deller (counter-tenor), Wieland Kuijken (bass viola), William Christie (harpsichord)
[45] René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Konrad Junghänel (lute)
[46]-[47] Sebastian Henning (boy soprano), René Jacobs (counter-tenor), Concerto Vocale - René Jacobs, dir.

Excerpts from (original release):
[1] Harmonia mundi HMC 1154 [LP] Sumer is Icumen
[2] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1323 / 24 [CDx2] Carmina Burana - Le Grand Mystère de la Passion
[3] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1649 / 50 [CDx2] Scarlatti - Il primo omicidio
[4] Harmonia mundi HMU 90 7082 [CD] Wanderer's Voices - Medieval Cantigas and Minnesang
[5] Harmonia mundi HMC 1252 [LP] Codex Chantilly - Airs de Cour du XIVe siècle
[6], [40] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1279 [CD] Josquin Desprez: Adieu mes amours - Chansons
[7] Harmonia mundi HMC 5182 [LP] Byrd: Masses from Gradualia
[8] Harmonia mundi HM 244 [LP] Dowland Lute Songs ans Solos, Vol. I
[9], [11] Harmonia mundi HM 1061 [LP] Michel Lambert: Airs de cour
[10], [39], [48] Deller Recordings DR 215 [LP] Alfred Deller solo - Airs anglais du XVIIe et XVIIIe siècle
[12] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 215 [CD] Alfred Deller: "O Ravishing Delights" - Airs anglais
[13] Harmonia mundi HM 1005 / 07 [LPx3] Leçons de Ténèbres Du Mercredy Sainct
[14] Harmonia mundi HMU 90 7053 [CD] Humfrey, Verse Anthems
[15] Harmonia mundi HM 252 / 53 [LPx2]Purcell: King Arthur
[16] Deller Recordings DR 207 [LP] Henry Purcell: Te Deum & Jubilate Deo
[17] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1643 [CD] Purcell: Odes for St. Cecilia's Day
[18] Harmonia mundi HMU 90 7035 [CD] Henry Purcell: Sweeter than roses
[19] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1571 [CD] Antonio Vivaldi: Stabat Mater
[20], [43] Harmonia mundi HMC 1133 [LP] François Couperin: Trois Leçon de Ténèbres
[21] Harmonia mundi HMU 90 7130 / 32 [CDx3] Handel: Giustino
[22] Harmonia mundi HMU 90 7111 / 13 [CDx3] Handel: Radamisto
[23], [33] Harmonia mundi [CDx2] HMC 90 1312 / 13 Handel: Flavio
[24] Harmonia mundi [CD] HMC 90 1685 Handel: Arias
[25], [26] Harmonia mundi [CDx2] HMC 90 1498 / 99 Handel: Messiah
[27], [41] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 5221 / 22 [CDx2] Caldara: Maddalena ai piedi di Cristo
[28] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1326 [CD] J.-S. Bach - Magnificat
[29] Harmonia mundi HM 90 1270 J.-S. Bach: Trauer-Ode BWV 198
[30] Harmonia mundi HM 90 1544 / 45 [CDx2] J.S. Bach Der Streit zwischen Phoebus und Pan - Cantates profanes BWV 201, 205 & 213
[31] probably a first release
[32] BBC original recording, June 10th 1960
[34] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1614 / 15 [CDx2] J.-S. Bach: Mese en si mineur
[35] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1603 [CD] Anonymous, Campion, Dowland, Traditional English: Chansons anglaises et pièces de luth
[36] Harmonia mundi HMC 1155 / 57 [LPx3] J.-S. Bach: Matthäus Passion
[37] Harmonia mundi HM 1065 [CD] Luca Marenzio: Madrigaux à 5 & 6 voix
[38] Harmonia mundi HMC 90 1627 [CD] Canciones y Ensaladas - Chansons et pièces instrumentales du siècle d'or
[42] Harmonia mundi HMU 90 7035 [CD] Purcell: Sweeter than roses
[44] Harmonia mundi HMU 228 [LP] Alfred Deller Solo (vol. 2)
[45] Harmonia mundi HMC 1183 [LP] René Jacobs & Konrad Junghänel en Concert
[46] Harmonia mundi HM 1097 [LP] Schütz: Kleine geistliche Konzerte
[47] Harmonia mundi HM 1119 [LP] Pergolesi: Stabat Mater

Recording site and date:
Various places [1964 - 1998], rel. 1999

Reviewed in:
Diapason (#-p.):
Gramophone (Vol./#-p.):
Fanfare (Vol./#-p.):
Goldberg (#-p.):

Comments:
Information from owned CDs
This is a superb 2 CDs in a large format box accompanied with a 49 pp. booklet (my copy in french only) written by Peter Giles. Something like "Everything you wanted to know and are afraid to ask". An absolute "must" for anyone interested in this type of voice and related interpretation.

To purchasing information for this disc.

To FAQ references to this recording.

To FAQ CD index page.

Pierre-F. Roberge