DOMENICO SCARLATTI (1685–1757)

ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI (1660–1725)

JOHANN ADOLF HASSE (1699–1783)

Salve regina, Cantatas & Motets

James Bowman - counter tenor

Deborah York - soprano

Crispian Steele-Perkins - trumpet

The King’s Consort / Robert King

DOMENICO SCARLATTI Salve regina in A major James Bowman

1 Salve regina, mater misericordiae [2'14]

2 Ad te clamamus exsules, filii Hevae [4'22]

3 Nobis post hoc exsilium ostende [2'34]

4 O clemens, o pia [3'51]

ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI Su le sponde del Tebro Deborah York, Crispian Steele-Perkins

5 Sinfonia [1'39]

6 Recitativo Su le sponde del Tebro [1'07]

7 Sinfonia – Aria Contentatevi, o fidi pensieri [3'12]

8 Recitativo Mesto, stanco, e spirante dal duol' che l'opprimea [0'47]

9 Largo Infelici miei lumi [3'20]

10 Aria Dite almeno, astri crudeli [2'44]

11 Recitativo All’ aura, al cielo, ai venti [0'57]

12 Aria Tralascia pur di piangere, povero afflitto cor [1'35]

JOHANN ADOLF HASSE Salve regina James Bowman

13 Salve regina, mater misericordiae [5'44]

14 Ad te clamamus exsules, filii Hevae [4'53]

15 Eia ergo advocata nostra illos tuos [2'26]

16 Et Jesum, benedictum fructum ventris tui [3'46]

ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI Infirmata vulnerata James Bowman

17 Aria Infirmata vulnerata puro deficit amore [3'39]

18 Recitativo O care, o dulcis amor [0'34]

19 Aria Vulnera percute, transfige cor [3'18]

20 Aria Cur, quaeso, crudelis es factus? [2'31]

21 Recitativo Vicisti, amor, et cor meum [0'29]

22 Aria Semper gratus desiderabilis [1'57]

ALESSANDRO SCARLATTI O di Betlemme altera Deborah York

23 Introduzione [1'56]

24 Recitativo O di Betlemme altera povertà venturosa! [0'42]

25 Aria Dal ben seno d’una stella [2'05]

26 Recitativo Presa d’uomo la forma, alle gelide tempre [0'51]

27 Aria L’autor d’ogni mio bene [4'00]

28 Recitativo Fortunati pastori giacchè v’è dato in sorte [0'40]

29 Aria Tocco la prima sorte a voi, pastori [8'24]

In the eighteenth century the cantata was considered to be the supreme challenge for a composer’s artistry. Here are recorded three fine examples from the enormous corpus of such works by Alessandro Scarlatti, two for solo voice with continuo, and one which includes a particularly demanding part for obbligato trumpet, faultlessly played by Crispian Steele-Perkins.

These cantatas are joined by settings of the Salve regina by Domenico Scarlatti (Alessandro’s sixth son) and Johann Adolf Hasse (a pupil). The work by Hasse is distinctly operatic with florid vocal and instrumental lines, and the younger Scarlatti similarly finds himself drawn away from religious deference to a more flamboyant style.

‘Congratulations to Hyperion on imaginative programming of repertoire, some not otherwise available on disc. Highly recommended … for repeated enjoyable listening’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘Una de las mejores elecciones de música barroca que haya escuchado este año. Por supuesto que lo recomiendo vivamente’ (CD Compact, Spain)

‘The recording is exemplary. If you want an introduction to vocal writing in compact forms in early 18th-century Italy, this is ideal’ (American Record Guide)

Helios CDH55354