Alessandro Scarlatti is best known for his excellent operas, yet his catalogue of works also includes a number of religious pieces. Rarely performed today, they are a testament to his mastery of the craft in both styles that coexisted in Europe at that time – the old and the new. The concert will feature works written in the latter, using the concertato technique. The moving text of Psalm 51 Miserere Mei Deus will be performed in two versions, in both of which the vocal parts are accompanied by strings and basso continuo. The delightful melody and harmony, the perfect balance of the vocal and instrumental layers, and the variety of compositional means used create a true sonic feast for the glory of the Almighty and the joy of the hearts of the faithful. The concert is crowned by the monumental Dixit Dominus, where each verse of the psalm was developed as a separate part, musically reflecting the affective nature of a given text fragment. The poignant whole is composed of diverse choirs that frequently engage in dialogue with the soloists, impressive arias, and an expressive instrumental layer.
The legacy of purely instrumental works by Alessandro Scarlatti is decidedly smaller. The composer began to explore this genre late in life, although he had already displayed great sensitivity to the timbre and expressive potential of individual instruments in his operas and cantatas. His most outstanding instrumental achievements include the twelve Sinfonie di concerto grosso, two of which will be performed during the concert. The Concerto number 7 is structured in the four-part da chiesa form established by Arcangelo Corelli. Both in this piece and in the concluding twelfth sinfonia – titled ‘Le Geniale’ – the string orchestra is accompanied by a truly impressive flute part.
PROGRAM
Alessandro Scarlatti (1660-1725)
Miserere in C minor
Concerto grosso in C minor R. 533.12
Adagio w staccato
Andante giusto
Adagio
Andante moderato
Miserere in E minor
Concerto grosso in G minor R. 533.7
Moderato
Moderato
Grave
Allegro
Dixit Dominus a quattro voci concertato
Dixit Dominus
Virgam virtutis
Tecum principium
Juravit Dominus
Dominus a dextris
Judicabit
De torrente
Gloria
PERFORMERS
JOANNA SOJKA SOPRANO
JAN JAKUB MONOWID ALTO
ALEKSANDER REWIŃSKI TENOR
PAWEŁ MICHALCZUK BASS
THE CHAMBER CHOIR OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA
THE PERIOD INSTRUMENTS ENSEMBLE OF THE POLISH ROYAL OPERA CAPELLA REGIA POLONA
RENATA SZCZYPIOR CHOIRMASTER, CONDUCTOR
KRZYSZTOF GARSTKA POSITIVE ORGAN, CONDUCTOR
Duration: approx. 1 h.
The seats in the auditorium are not numbered.
