Vienna Boys Choir: Choral Works
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DVD Cover Information
Brand: Universal StudiosDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown); English (Original Language)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.33:1
Running Time: 72 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2006-01-10
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: Philips
Movie Reviews of Vienna Boys Choir: Choral Works
Movie Review: In a word, "GLORIOUS!"
Summary: 5 Stars
Uwe Christian Harrer's performance of Mozart Choral works with the Vienna Boys Choir, members of the Vienna State Opera Chorus, and members of the Vienna State Opera Orchestra is nothing short of miraculous. Filmed in two beautiful Vienna churches, one of them formerly the Chapel of the Imperial Palace, these are truly beautiful Video/Audio experiences. Mozart's music is well served: the Vienna Choir Boys sing the soprano and alto parts, with tenor and bass parts sung by the men of the Vienna State Opera Chorus.
Harrer sets sensible tempos, and is animated with the music, but not an interpreter who calls attention to himself, a la Bernstein, Solti, Stokowski, or Tennstedt. He is a SERVANT of the music, giving clear direction and very sensible beats, and a great sense of ensemble results from his direction. Harrer emphasizes the choral textures of Mozart's writing, here in the early Waisenhaus Mass in C minor (recorded here in 1988), written when Mozart was just 12 years old! All of this work may not be top drawer Mozart, but Harrer and his forces do just about what can be done with it. There are varied solos for boy soprano and alto, and tenor and bass, which alternate with fugal/polyphonic and homophonic full chorus textures, introductory and alternating choral parts. The "Gloria" and "Credo" movements are in several alternating sections, and stick less in my mind than the Kyrie, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. Camera work in excellent, catching the various choir sections singing at a given moment, or the 1st violins, trumpet or trombone when they have an important part.
The shorter choral works, recorded in 1990, deal with the adoration of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ - very important in the Roman Catholic liturgy and theology in Austria during Mozart's time (Moreso than today, since Vatican II, 1962-65) and also the adoration of the Host: the consecrated bread, believed by Roman Catholics to be Christ's true body in the Mass. These are all works unfamiliar to me (except the closing "Ave Verum Corpus") but are very beautiful, showing a wonderful sacred side of Mozart, a real contrast to his operas, for example,"The Marriage of Figaro" and "Don Giovanni".
I hope there are more DVD recordings forthcoming from the Vienna Boys Choir under Mr. Harrer. Excellent digital stereo sound, and wonderful picture quality (full screen, 4:3) make this a great experience. I nearly wept during the closing "Ave Verum Corpus," a quiet homophonic anthem of adoration to the crucified body of Christ. The accompaniment of a chamber orchestra makes this a more beautiful experience than I realized was possible. Yes, Mozart's music is well served here!
In a word, "GLORIOUS!"
Summary of Vienna Boys Choir: Choral Works
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