Classical CD review: Dixit Dominus (Alia Vox, through Ode Records)

Dixit Dominus (Alia Vox, through Ode Records)

Dixit Dominus, the latest release from indefatigable conductor Jordi Savall, features the responses of three composers to the text of Psalm 110.

This could easily have been a dry academic exercise but these performances positively glow with vitality as Vivaldi, Mozart and Handel put their individual musical stamp on the Song of David that looks forward to the eventual coming of the Messiah.

Handel's setting is the earliest, written in 1707 during the German's sojourn in Italy; perhaps one might sense the influence of sunny skies and red wine on the joyousness that abounds here.

The choruses, which are energetic bordering on downright punchy, are beautifully handled by Savall's La Capella Reial de Catalunya, accompanied by the spirited instrumental playing of Le Concert des Nations.

A young composer is flexing his musical muscles in this work, exploring all the dramatic potential that the words offer and writing star turns for his soloists, sensitively sung here by American countertenor Anthony Roth Costanzo and Spanish soprano Marta Matheu.

Vivaldi's Dixit Dominus, written ten years later, is a showcase of Venetian splendour. Trumpets make their brilliant contribution and, here and there, string writing reveals that this is, after all, penned by the hand responsible for The Four Seasons.

Mozart's Dixit Dominus, which appeared more than a half-century later, also incorporates a setting of the Magnificat.

Sonorous timpani punctuate phrases and the ear is inevitably drawn to florid violin writing and imposing choral counterpoint, proving that the spectacular stylings of the baroque lingered well into the new classical age.

What: Dixit Dominus (Alia Vox, through Ode Records)
Rating: 5/5
Verdict: One Psalm inspires fascinating and individual responses from three composers.