Catalogue

Summary:

“Apollo’s Fire proves a lithe, spirited band. An ultra-abstemious approach to vibrato and an intermittent tendency to swell on longer notes reveal the group’s Baroque orientation…Amanda Forsythe sings with crystalline tone and neat, precise coloratura” – Gramophone

“Sorrell presents an elegantly proportioned Symphony No 40, with an attractively immediate woodwind sound; the French-influenced “Chaconne” from Idomeneo is vividly characterised and “Parto, m’affretto” (from Lucio Silla) showcases coloratura soprano Amanda Forsythe – a voice to remember.” – The Independent

“Performances of enormous drama, delicacy and zest… [Sorrell] takes full advantage of her superb period instrumentalists.” – The Cleveland Plain Dealer

“Bright, winsome, terrifying and brilliant by turns, with the Apollo’s Fire strings demonstrating that they can so dazzle.” – San Francisco Classical Voice

Apollo’s Fire, the Cleveland Baroque Orchestra founded in 1992 by award-winning harpsichordist and conductor Jeannette Sorrell, launched a new association with AVIE with this release of varied works by Mozart, together with an album of the Brandenburgs and other concertos by J S Bach (AV 2207), that exemplify “the intense detailing Sorrell and company bring to music from the Baroque and Classical eras.” (The Cleveland Plain Dealer). These vibrant performances feature popular repertoire brought together in pairings that have not appeared on disc before: the composer’s darkest Symphony, No. 40 in G minor; a dramatic recitative and virtuoso aria from Lucio Silla; Ballet Music from Idomeneo, a festive and rarely-heard suite from the last great work in the opera seria tradition; and four lively and entertaining Contradances.

Taking its name from the classical god of music and the sun, Apollo’s Fire is dedicated to the performance of 17th- and 18th-century music on period instruments. Founder and Music Director Jeannette Sorrell and her ensemble of dynamic and creative early-music artists from North America and Europe have been praised internationally for stylistic freshness and buoyancy, animated spontaneity, technical excellence, and creative programming. An award-winning harpsichordist and conductor, Sorrell studied with Gustav Leonhardt in Amsterdam and Leonard Bernstein at Tanglewood.

Tracklist:

WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART (1756–1791)

Symphony No. 40 in G Minor, K. 550
1. I. Molto Allegro (7:28)
2. II. Andante (9:52)
3. III. Menuetto (4:15)
4. IV. Allegro assai (9:27)

Lucio Silla, K. 135 opera seria (1772)
5. I. Recitativo accompagnato In un istante (2:48)
6. II. Aria Parto, m’affretto (4:30)
Amanda Forsythe, soprano

Ballet Music from Idomeneo, K. 367
7. I. Chaconne (3:57)
8. II. Passepied (3:04)
9. III. Gavotte (1:59)
10. IV. La chaconne, qui reprend (2:51)
11. V. Pas seul de M. LeGrand (4:29)

Dances/Tänze
12. I. Kontretanz, K. 123 (1:19)
13. II. Menuetto cantabile (Adagio), K. 463 (2:09)
14. III. Kontretänze, K. 462 (Nos. 5 & 6) (1:29)
15. IV. Kontretanz, K.123, reprise (1:22)

Total duration: 61:05

Apollo’s Fire
Jeannette Sorrell, conductor
featuring Amanda Forsythe, soprano

Recorded in April 2008, and April 2003 (tracks 12-15, live performance), St Paul’s Church, Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Recording producer: Erica Brenner
Recording engineer: Thomas Knab