THE GIFT OF VOX!
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VOX AMA DEUS
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SEASON XXIV
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Latest Press
FESTA VIVALDI
"...For his all-Vivaldi season finale, Vox's Valentin Radu selected five unfamiliar pieces from Vivaldi's huge catalogue, along with one piece I will hear as often as any one wants to play it: the buoyant, irresistible Lute Concerto in D Major.
The opening and closing movements of the Lute Concerto raced along with all the required gaiety, and the slow movement received a perfect treatment, with Daniel Boring playing in front of a beautifully controlled, nicely modulated string background.
The other concertos on the agenda were all equally satisfying examples of Vivaldi's enthusiastic exploitation of instruments that reached a new level of development during the Baroque era. ..."
- TOM PURDOM, Broad Street Review 5/18/10
BACHFEST
"...We often talk about the composer's intentions when we discuss music, but the performer's intentions can be just as relevant. The Vox Ama Deus conductor, Valentin Radu, discussed his attitudes toward Bach's music at some length in the program notes, and Radu's personal, highly individual vision shaped the entire evening..."
- TOM PURDOM, Broad Street Review 2/9/10
PAPA HAYDN
...the four vocal soloists - soprano Sarah Davis & bass Kevin Deas joining Kidwell & Garner - sang efficaciously.
- Noteworthy, Chestnut Hill LOCAL 11/06/09 by MICHAEL CARUSO.
CD RECORDING REVIEWS OF JUDAS MACCABAEUS
... The recording preserves in good sound an enjoyable live February 2009 performance by unstarry but worthy Philadelphia-based forces. Romanian born Valentin Radu paces the able Ama Deus chorus increasingly well and elicits generally solid results!...Timothy Bentch is incisive as to phrasing and diction, showing good coloratura and breath control, with dynamic play in the voice...Soprano
Andrea Lauren Brown (Israelite Woman) offers a pretty, clear timbre with very little vibrato; most of what she does - and hers is the most substantial solo role - is very enjoyable,...Richard Shapp handles the Messenger's two recits capably.
- Opera and Oratorio ONLINE, October 2009, by DAVID SHENGOLD
... Both the Handel and Vivaldi albums are excellent buys. Handel's "Messiah" is so overwhelming and popular a masterpiece that it has overshadowed many of his other compositions. "Judas Maccabeus" may not approach the flawless so closely as does "Messiah," but its telling of the story of the ancient Israelites' rebellion against their Syrian oppressors is thrillingly relayed in arias, ensembles, choruses and instrumental music. The performance is energetic, stylish and resonant.
Radu wisely balanced audiences' familiarity with the four concerti of Vivaldi's "Four Seasons" by including on the CD the Flute Concerto in A minor, the Concerto for Two Violins in A minor and the Concerto for Two Trumpets in C major. Both CDs feature exemplary playing in the continuo of Roxborough harpsichordist Bronwyn Fix-Keller.
- Noteworthy, Chestnut Hill LOCAL 09/03/09 by MICHAEL CARUSO. |
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A Renaissance Harvest Message
by Maestro Radu
Saturday, September 25 at 8:00 PM
With the end of summer fast approaching and the fall replacing it, Vox Renaissance Consort, with regal costumed singers and cool authentic period instruments (i.e.: recorders, theorbo, cello, and harpsichord), will celebrate not Halloween or Thanksgiving, but the happy ancient tradition of the harvest! From beautiful motets and luscious madrigals to exciting instrumental interludes, this Renaissance Harvest concert - performed in the magnificent acoustics of Old St. Joseph's Church on September 25th - will uplift you with cheerful tunes to celebrate the change of season.
I think our concert is enough inspiration to make a visit to the oldest Catholic church in Philadelphia, but read on for some fascinating history on "Old St. Joe's".
View toward Old Saint Joseph's Church (courtyard and church), Tom Crane, photo. | "Finally, when the Church of England was established by law in Maryland in 1702, an Act to Prevent the Spread of Popery was passed in 1704, and Catholics were fully disenfranchised in 1718, the quasi-toleration Catholics had enjoyed came to an end...In response to the restrictions on the practice of Catholicism in Maryland, the Jesuits expanded their missionary efforts in 1704 from southern Maryland to Old Bohemia, Cecil County, a few miles from the Pennsylvania border. From this base, missions were established in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and in 1729 a permanent priest, Rev. Joseph Greaton, S.J., arrived in Philadelphia where William Penn's Charter of Privileges for Pennsylvanians guaranteed religious and civic freedom to "all who worshiped one God" - not just Catholics. Father Greaton built the first chapel in 1733. By the summer of 1734, the matter of a public Mass was brought before the Provincial Council, where it was reported that there was "no small concern to hear that a House lately built in Walnut Street.was sett apart for the Exercise of the Roman Catholick Religion and it is commonly called the Romish Chappell . where Mass [is] openly celebrated by a Popish priest.contrary to the Laws of England." After deliberations by the Council, the civil and religious freedom set out in Penn's Charter of Privileges - the constitution of the colony - took precedence over the Penal Laws of England, and the chapel remained, a testament to Penn's 'Holy Experiment.' "(excerpt from http://www.oldstjoseph.org/history_essay.htm)
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RENAISSANCE HARVEST
Daniel Boring (theorbo)
Come celebrate the arrival of Fall and the harvest season with singers draped in full period costume regalia, complemented by authentic instruments. Reverence and revelry, motets and madrigals, meeting in this historic church in Old City Philadelphia, will bring you back in time and leave you uplifted and energized.
Running Time: 75 Minutes - No intermission
* Willings Alley is located just south of Walnut, between 3rd & 4th Sts.
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Due to our concert successes this past season we now have two new recordings to add to your collection: Vox Renaissance Consort's Renaissance Noël and the Ama Deus Ensemble's Brahms Requiem!
Of course, Brahms - Ein Deutsches Requiem Op. 45, is an essential recording for those who love authentic music interpretation done with the intensity and application to original recreation that only Maestro Radu can bring!
(The Brahms CD is expected very soon in our office and will be treated as a pre-order to be shipped upon arrival.)
The Renaissance Noël (in stock) is our first recording captured in the cathedral-like
acoustics of Old Saint Joseph's Church in Olde City Philadelphia. This recording is very special and will become one of your treasured all-time favorites!
Both of these great recordings can be ordered by mail or online.
Thank you for your continued and renewed donations. We rely on your support! You can buy our CDs and make donations online easily and securely - and now you can even use a check ("eCheck") instead of a credit card online! It is simple and easy, just open your check book at your desk and follow the instructions!
Click here to purchase CDs and/or make a secure online donation, or simply call us today at 610-688-2800! |
Program:
Corelli: Concerto Grosso in D Major Op. 6 No. 7
Marcello: Oboe Concerto in c minor
A. Scarlatti: Concerto Grosso No. 2 in c minor
D. Scarlatti: Concerto Grosso No. 1 in f minor
Corelli: Concerto Grosso in c minor Op. 6 No. 3
Albinoni: Oboe Concerto in d minor Op. 3 No. 2
Vivaldi: Concerto for Two Violins and Cello in A Major Op. 3 No. 5
Soloists:
Close your eyes and be transported back to the Doge's Palace in glorious Venice, where the court orchestra entertained the noble guests of "Il Doge" with exciting concerti by famous local masters: Corelli, Marcello, Scarlatti (father & son), Albinoni and of course Vivaldi!
Running Time: 90 Minutes - No intermission
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HAYDN IN VIENNA:
MASS IN TIME OF WAR AMA DEUS ENSEMBLE
Program:
Symphony No. 94 ("Surprise")
Concerto for Piano in D Major Hob. XVIII:11
"Mass in Time of War" (Paukenmesse) Hob. XXII:8
Soloists:
In collaboration with the Curtis Institute of Music, we welcome Alexander Ullman as our featured piano soloist. Last season we commemorated the bicentennial of Haydn's passing. This season we continue his tremendous legacy with three cornerstone works - the "Surprise" Symphony, the D Major Piano Concerto, and, ending an exciting evening, "Mass in Time of War" - a fitting piece then and now!
Running Time: 2 Hours including one intermission
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