J.s. Bach: Magnificat, Bwv 243 - Helmschrott: Lume
) | Label: NAXOS Catalog: 8579049 Format: CD Graczyk, Mira; Helmschrott, Robert M.; Sellier, Robert; Karmasin, Anna; Körber, Sophia; Mallmann, Niklas; Simon Mayr Chorus; Blum, Stefan; Concerto de Bassus; Mattersberger, Andreas; Holzhauser, Theresa; Schäfer, Markus; Thornhill, Siri Karoline; Losseau, Florence; Hauk, Franz; Šiaulyte, Giedre; Gubba-Chkheidze, TheonaShortly after taking up the position of Thomaskantor in Leipzig in 1723, Bach wrote a Magnificat in E flat major for performance at Christmas. Around a decade later he revised the work, transposing it down to D major and making it more concise. Utilizing a Biblical text, the piece is suffused with a series of memorable arias and choruses and orchestrated with spectacular grandeur. Lumen is a contemporary musical dialogue that urges empathy between the three Abrahamic religions. Translating the oratorio form into a ‘unity of diversity,’ Robert M. Helmschrott has converted the poetry of the Old and New Testaments, the Torah and Qur’an into an interfaith ‘language of sounds and singing.’  Price: $19.98 |