The Best of Marriner's Choral Mozart

 

No doubt aided by the Andrew Parrott-led Schola Cantorum of Oxford.

I believe this was the first time I had heard the Schola Cantorum, and impressed I remain. Their name sounds of the light, British chorister ilk, but power and majesty are at their hand in Mozart's Mass in C Major and Litany.

Plus, look at the lineup of soloists. Aside from Robert Tear, who I usually find a rather strained-sounding tenor, this is an excellent vocal team.

The only discouragement is Erna Spoorenberg's Exsultate, Jubilate, who I find rather plain in its solo vocal work. Otherwise, I have nothing but adulations for this recording. Much better than the other release paired with Mozart's Vespers (BLOG) aside mere excerpts of the Litany. Here, we get the whole shebang.

A review from 2022

Sir Neville Marriner leads three choral/vocal works from WA Mozart: the ‘Coronation’ Mass in C Major ‘Krönungsmesse’, the Loretine Litany, and Exsultate Jubilate for soprano. These date from 1971, while Erna Spoorenberg’s Exsultate Jubilate was recorded in 1966, all gathered together on London’s Jubilee series.

The gem of these recordings are the vocalists. Ileana Cotrubaș leads the pack with her sheer simplicity when singing Mozart. I find her tasteful, yet ravishing throughout. Helen Watts, Robert Tear, and John Shirley-Quirk round off a solid team. Only Erna Spoorenberg’s soprano seems a touch plain-Jane, particularly in the famous Alleluia, but she generally does a lovely job.

The Schola Cantorum of Oxford is a gorgeous sounding chorus of mixed adult singers of the British tradition. Chorus Master Andrew Parrot really has them attack the music incisively when Mozart calls for it, yet they have a suave, well-balanced tone for a symphonic chorus across the Mass and Litany. The Krönungsmesse Credo is really exceptionally sung here, one of Mozart’s finest settings, and the Regina from the Litany is a dandy!

The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields under Sir Neville Marriner are not humongous forces, but I enjoy that their brand of playing includes beautiful vibrato, instead of the modern trend of sapping it. They play delicately, allowing the team of vocalists and chorus to take the spotlight for these programs, but there is also plenty of love and care for the many string and wind solos that come and go.

The Decca sound is done well, and all of the soloists and choral parts are clearly heard amongst the orchestra, with George Malcolm’s pipe organ occasionally making itself known. All of this music has since been paired to Marriner’s 1977 Mozart Requiem on Decca with these same soloists, in better sound, so it may be preferable. Really wonderful choral music from Mozart, and the performers truly make them sing.

Works
Exsultate, Jubilate, K. 165 (15.14)
Litaniae Lauretanae, K. 195 (30.01)
Mass in C Major 'Coronation', K. 317 (26.02)

Soloists
Ileana Cotrubaș, soprano
Erna Spoorenberg, soprano
Helen Watts, contralto
Robert Tear, tenor
John Shirley-Quirk, baritone

Performers
Schola Cantorum of Oxford
Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields
Sir Neville Marriner, conductor

Label: Decca / London
Year: 1967-72; 1988
Total Timing: 71.30

All of these choral/orchestral works by Mozart from Marriner in the 60s and 70s were reissued onto a 2CD set (BLOG).

That one adds Mozart's Requiem to what is on this recording. While that is a fine performance, it is not a favorite of mine.

On the other hand, these are great, so if you want the best, it is all here for the taking.

Find more Mozart recordings HERE!