Monteverdi Vespers...

Leafing through the most recent MHS catalog, I see there is a recording of the Vespers by Regensburger Domspatzen/Hamburger Blaeserkreis fuer Alte Musik/Schneidt. Any opinions on this recording? For reference, I own the Pickett, Parrott (reissue), Gardiner II, and Jacobs recordings. I'm also looking to get the Savall soon.

Well, it's certainly different from anything you have, though perhaps not in good ways - to these ears it's a bit stodgy and lacking energy if not enthusiasm. Its most distinctive feature is probably that the singers, including the soloists, are all male, which means, for instance, that 'Pulchra es' is sung by two countertenors - I suppose they do quite a good job, but I don't care for them.

Do get the Savall

You mean it's not bad, but you don't like it anyway? Hmph.



Paul Goldstein

I'm glad you understand. Didn't someone - Lincoln? - once write a review that read 'if you like this sort of thing, you will probably find that this is the sort of thing you like'?

Well, that sort of sums up my reaction to it, also. I've had the Schneidt recording for years on Archiv LPs, and while it's interesting in that it has boy trebles, the singing and instrumental playing is rather thin and timid. There are many better recordings (although frankly I can't think of an alternative with all-male singers).

Tom Wood

Thanks for the response, Simon. Looks like I'll pass on this one.