Bernhard Pfammatter, CapellAntiquA - Luigi Rossi: Giuseppe; Giacomo Carissimi: Ezechia (2000)

Luigi Rossi (1598-1653), along with Monteverdi and Frescobaldi, were significant composers of the first half of the seventeenth century. His appreciation for the emotions of texts led him to devise a new means of expression in vocal music, which was the major part of his output. He was one of the first composers whose primary field was secular vocal music.
Next to the oratorio 'Per La Settimana Santa', 'Guiseppe' is without a doubt Rossi's greatest oratorio, both in length as well as in musical intensity. The work consists of two cantatas in which a relatively brief section of the book of Genesis in the Old Testament story of Joseph is set to music. Since there is no portrayal of dramatic action, the main thrust is on the expression of emotions, one example being the heart-rending lamento of Joseph's brothers.
The story of Joseph is indeed full of pathos, and emotions run rampant throughout: sibling rivaly prompting Joseph's brothers to sell him into slavery; deep sorrow by the father, Jacob; desperation when famine strikes Israel and the brothers go to Egypt to buy food; deception on Joseph's part when he hides his identity from his brothers as he confronts them for the first time, having secured a high place in Egypt by virtue of his dream interpretations. One can see why Rossi would choose this tale for an oratorio for it gave him an opportunity to fully use his creative expressive ability.
There are two singers who sing solo parts: Joseph (bass), Rene Perler-Narrator(alto)Martin Oro-Ensemble of sons and servants makes use of all the singers intermittantly. The solo singing as well as the ensemble singing is stunning and the emotion that they display in their interpretations is intense and moving, exciting and incredibly lovely. The voices are obviously tuned in to the story and the individual sounds are richly resonant. The other singers not mentioned above, but who also solo off and on are: sopranos, Nadia Ragni & Elisabetta Tiso; tenor Markus Schikora. The male alto Marin Oro has to be one of the best countertenors in the business; I have followed his career for many years and he only gets better; a sound that is deep, rich and vibrant. All the voices, in fact, are impressive.
Giocomo Carissimi (1605-1674) is remembered for his development of the oratorio, for which he made the setting of the text in an immediately intelligible way, of prime importance; and this is much in evidence in this fifteen minute work on the disc. This Old Testament Story occurs in the days of the prophet Isaiah and tells of King Hezikiah's begging God for an extension of his life after he has been told by Isaiah that he will die soon. God granted his wish and the oratorio ends with Hezekiah's praise of the power and benevolence of God. All five of the above singers are present in this work that involve the characters of Isaiah (alto), God (bass), Hezikiah (tenor) and sopranos who represent Angels. They all perform as they did in the above oratorio; spectacularly!