popular song collection (1653) by one of the outstanding musical personalities of his time

twelve sacred cantatasby the Czech Baroque composer

Ludmila Vernerova - soprano, Marta Benackova - alto, Zdenek Harvanek - basso

world premiere recording of the oratorio from 1730

Ensemble Inégal, directed by Adam Viktora
 

Rediscovering unjustly forgotten composers and their music is a fine experience and adventure at the same time, and this CD offers music-lovers both. J. J. I. Brentner (1689 - 1742) was one of the most successful Czech composers of his time (measured by the number of compositions published in print). Thanks to missionaries, his music got as far as South America only to lapse into total oblivion after his death for more than a quarter of a millennium. The demands that his beautiful melodies place on performers gives one an idea of how accomplished the instrumentalists and singers of his time must have been. Our CD (world recording premiere) was made using period musical instruments in Baroque surroundings by the group Ensemble Inégal specializing, in particular, in historically enlightened interpretation of 17th- and 18-th century music. Please, accept our invitation to the realm of lovely sounds and joy of discovering the as yet unknown.

Gabriela Viktorová (Eibenová) – soprano, Markéta Cukrová – alto, Jaroslav Březina – tenor, Mathias Gerchen – bass
Dvorák´s Mass in D-major, better known in its instrumentation for orchestra, is presented in this recording in its original version featuring a small mixed choir and romantic organ and, what is more, played in the Lužany chateaux chapel, for which it was composed and where it was also performed for the first time. The listener´s experience is enhanced by the period-inspired presentation as developed by conductor and organist Adam Viktora, as well as by the natural vocal performance of all members of the Ensemble Inégal. In addition, the CD carries spiritual songs and organ compositions.