Under the direction of Markus Utz, ensemble cantissimo has established a deserved reputation for its exciting rediscoveries of vocal music. With their new album »Ans Licht« this premiere ensemble celebrates their twentieth anniversary by drawing on highlights from the last few years in the recording studio and offers a fresh look at some worthwhile forgotten composers and works.
HEINRICH ISAAC
01 RESURREXI
GIOVANNI BATTISTA MARTINI
02 TE DEUM 1740 (1. SATZ)
03 MAGNIFICAT C-MOLL
FRANZ PHILIPP AUS MATER DEI OP. 60
04 SALVE REGINA
05 MAGNIFICAT
BACH/NYSTEDT
06 CHORIMPROVISATION ÜBER IMMORTAL BACH
JEAN SIBELIUS
07 DRÖMARNA
JAN SANDSTRÖM
08 SANCTUS
BURKHARD KINZLER
09 TOTENGEBET
HEINRICH VON HERZOGENBERG
10 NACHTLIED OP. 73,1
11 DER TRAUM OP. 98,1
12 STELLDICHEIN OP 98,2
13 DER SCHLIMME GAST OP. 98,3
14 ER IST’S OP. 10,1
15 WEIHNACHTSLIED OP. 57,6
16 MEINE SEELE ERHEBT DEN HERRN OP. 81 I,5
17 JAUCHZET DEM HERRN OP. 81 II,1
18 UND ICH HÖRETE EINE STIMME OP. 92,3
Produzent / Producer: Andreas Meixner
Tonmeister / Recording Producer:
Christoph Claßen (Frühling lässt sein blaues Band / Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Lande / Aufnahme 2004),
Andreas Bertram (I Himmelen), Michael Silberhorn (Giovanni Battista Martini),
Andreas Werner (Wie schön, hier zu verträumen), Joë l Cormier (Isaac, Kinzler), Manuel Braun (Mater Dei)
Satz / Layout: Felix Dreher
© 2014 SPEKTRAL 15543
Best.-Nr. / Ord. No.: SRL4 ・14133
GTIN (EAN): 4260130381332
All rights reserved. / Alle Rechte vorbehalten
Founded in 1994, ensemble cantissimo is one of the most sought-after vocal ensembles in the German-speaking world. The name speaks for itself: cantissimo is synonymous with a cappella singing. And from the very beginning the group’s main interest has been in the incredible range of music beyond the mainstream repertoire. With its distinctive interpretations and exciting choice of programmes, the choir, with singers from Germany and Switzerland, conducted by Markus Utz, has thrilled audiences and critics alike. Regular invitations to leading music festivals and a close collaboration with radio stations reflect the high regard the ensemble’s vocal artistry is held in. Rarities of rediscovered choral music also feature on cantissimo’s numerous CD recordings. These include sacred works by Mozart’s teacher Giovanni Battista Martini (2007) and the Marian cycle Mater Dei by Freiburg composer Franz Philipp (2008) produced in collaboration with SWR. A co-production with BR, I Himmelen, with Scandinavian choral music was released in 2010. In 2011 Carus-Verlag Stuttgart engaged the ensemble for the first recording ofthe choral works of Heinrich von Herzogenberg, a contemporary of Brahms; this now comprises a representative selection of his works on three CDs.
Markus Utz is Professor of Conducting and Choral Conducting at the Zürich University of the Arts. From 2001 to 2008 he was closely involved in the church music scene as regional Kantor and Music Director at the Cathedral in Constance. Before this, his studies took him to Munich, Detmold and Stockholm, to Gerhard Weinberger, Anders Eby and Eric Ericson. As well as successes in competitions as an organist, as a conductor he held scholarships from the German Academic Exchange Service and the Scandinavian Bach Academy under Sir Andrew Parrot. In 2003, he was a finalist in the Eric Ericson Award. With his sensitive and subtle, distinctive interpretations and his striving for an exceptionally refined sound, he has come to be regarded as one of the top choral directors in Europe. As well as his professorial duties, he is in great demand as a jury member, course leader and guest conductor of distinguished choirs.
