JS Bach • Helmschrott
JS Bach: Magnificat; Helmschrott: Lumen Siri Karoline Thornhill, Sophia Körber (soprano), Theresa Holzhauser (mezzo-soprano), Markus Schäfer, Robert Sellier (tenor), Andreas Mattersberger (bass); Simon Mayr Chorus; Concerto de Bassus/Franz Hauk
Naxos 8.579049 65:57 mins
Lumen, which makes up most of this disc, is described by the composer Robert Maximilian Helmschrott (b1938) as ‘an interfaith dialogue for soloists, chorus and orchestra’. Based on a complex of texts taken from the Bible, the Qur’an, the Bhagavad Gita, the Latin Mass, Brecht, Goethe and beyond, it seeks to create a commonality between religions too often perceived as conflicting. A major task, indeed, and the result is often intriguing; the style is occasionally reminiscent of Stravinsky and Messiaen, but at times shows considerable individuality in the handling of timbre.
Lumen’s three…
