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PRESS
REVIEW:
Caro
Mitis Multichannel SACD CM 0022003, 54:48
MAXIM BEREZOVSKY: Secular Music
Pratum Integrum Orchestra (original instruments)
3
Stars - ***
World premiere
recordings of works by an 18th century Russian composer
These
are all world premiere recordings of music by a Russian composer
and singer who
lived until 1777. The performances are by a highly skilled
ensemble of young Russian musicians comprising one of the only original
instrument ensembles in Russia. We have reviewed earlier SACDs from
Caro Mitis; they are engineered primarily by Polyhymnia in Holland
and have the highest sonic standards.
There are opposing views of Berezovsky?s career, importance as a composer,
and death in at least two sources: the album?s note booklet and Nicolas
Slonimsky?s Baker?s Dictionary. Slonimsky dispenses with the composer
in a short paragraph, saying that the Russian court chapel sent him to study
in Bologna, Italy - where he wrote his opera Il Demofonte. And that upon returning
to Russia Italian musicians had taken all the good positions, which made Berezovsky
despondent and he killed himself. The Russian authority who compiled the liner
notes says that upon his return Berezovsky actually got a very high position
as capellmeister of the Royal Court capella, and that he died while still in
his 30s from a disease. The suicide story evidently was started by the composer?s
first biographer, who talked about ?hypochondria? leading him to ?a
fever and insanity,? and making him ?stab himself to death.?
The opening Sinonia is considered very first Russian symphony. It is
in a sort of generic 18th century style, as are the three sonatas for harpsichord,
which were just recently discovered. Berezovsky wrote much liturgical music
and his concerto for four voices ?Cast me Not Off in the Time of Old
Age? is regarded as his greatest sacred work. Therefore it seems odd
that it is the closing, and most interesting work, on this SACD with the overall
title of Secular Music (although it is an arrangement for string quartet rather
than the original voices). I?m sorry but although this is commendable
production in all aspects, I can?t fully agree with the notes? characterization
of Berezovsky as a genius.
- John Sunier
Audiophile
Audition
MA Recordings will soon be discontinuing the sale of Caro
Mitis, the Hybrid
SACD classical label from Russia.
All recordings produced by Caro Mitis (translated
from the Latin as "Succulent Fruit") are pure multi-channel
DSD productions, most of them recorded in the revered studios of
The Russian Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (RTR) in Moscow.
Caro Mitis'
policy is to present state-of-art performances of classical works
by outstanding Russian & European
musicians, ensembles & orchestras. The catalog contains a number
of World Premiere Recordings, particularly of early music.
Caro Mitis fundamentals
are:
? recording and postproduction
by Polyhymnia International B.V. from Holland, the leader in the
SACD format that also works with Harmonia Mundi, Pentatone
and others.
? manufacturing of all titles as hybrid SACDs (thus allowing listeners
to play the disks on regular CD-players as well as SACD players) at SONY DADC
(Austria);
? unique designs for each disk (created by Kosta Gusalov - one of the leading
Russian graphic artists) based on the use of national historical engravings
? multi-lingual booklets and inlays with extensive illustrated information
? a long-term
recording program with a number of World Premiere Recordings every
year.
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