Zelenka: Missa Gratias agimus tibi

Immerse yourself in the resplendent world of Baroque music with Jan Dismas Zelenka's "Missa Gratias agimus tibi," a masterful collection of sacred choral works that showcase the composer's virtuosity and depth. This album, released on December 6, 2024, by Carus, features the renowned Kammerchor Stuttgart and Barockorchester Stuttgart, conducted by Frieder Bernius, delivering a performance that is both historically informed and deeply expressive.

The centerpiece of the album is Zelenka's Missa Gratias agimus tibi, ZWV 13, a grand mass setting that highlights the composer's innovative use of orchestration and contrapuntal writing. The work is performed with an impressive array of instruments, including flutes, oboes, bassoon, trumpets, timpani, strings, and continuo, creating a rich and vibrant sonic landscape. The album also includes Zelenka's Magnificat in D Major, ZWV 108, as well as his settings of the psalms Laudate pueri Dominum in F Major, ZWV 82, and Beatus vir in C Major, ZWV 76.

Jan Dismas Zelenka, a contemporary of Johann Sebastian Bach and Georg Philipp Telemann, was a prolific composer whose works were largely forgotten until the late 20th century. Thanks to the efforts of scholars and musicians, Zelenka's music has been rediscovered and is now performed and recorded with increasing frequency. This album is a testament to the enduring power of Zelenka's music, which continues to captivate audiences with its beauty, complexity, and spiritual depth.

With a duration of just over 51 minutes, this album is a compact yet comprehensive introduction to Zelenka's sacred choral music. Whether you are a seasoned fan of Baroque music or a newcomer to the genre, this album is sure to delight and inspire. The performances by the Kammerchor Stuttgart and Barockorchester Stuttgart are exemplary, bringing out the full range of colors and textures in Zelenka's scores. The album is a fitting tribute to a composer whose music deserves to be heard and celebrated.