photo provided by Sherri Rase
conductor Johannes Somary
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Amor Artis Edition presents conductor Johannes Somary and his Amor Artis Chamber Choir in ancient music for modern times. We are bombarded in modern life with a variety of sensory stimulus-and, in the barest sense, music and traffic may be considered sensory stimuli. Long before "Desperate Housewives" and "Avatar" excited senses, music like that of Tomás Luis de Victoria thrilled the everyday people, who read and performed these motets for their own pleasure and that of their friends. The CD "Sacred Jewels" thrusts this music, more than half a millennium old, into new and sensitive light.
Johannes Somary is the founder and music director of Amor Artis. He made himself a promise more than two decades ago that there would one day be a recording that would properly celebrate Renaissance composer Tomás Luis de Victoria. This is no small undertaking for the Yale trained Somary, whose work as a conductor and musician shows great sensibility and skill. As he partners across the centuries with Victoria, who was a man of deep faith who would be an icon in this day as he was in his own, Somary's desire has come to full fruition.
Born in 1548 in central Spain, the town of Avila, Victoria was educated by the Jesuits and was sent to the German Jesuit College, in Rome, as a singer. After studying a while, he became director of music there, and held additional positions as well at various other Roman venues. He returned to Spain, in 1587, a more worldly man, who ultimately served as a priest, leading music as well at a convent, where he lived for the most part, till his passing in 1611.
Victoria published a book of motets for quartets, quintets and sextets that was issued in Venice in 1572, then one of the primary publishing centers in Italy. This single book was the wellspring of his publications from that date forward. In Rome in 1583, he added to the three dozen pieces in the publication. While not as prolific as Palestrina, one of his contemporaries, his work's reissue forms the basis for Victoria's most performed pieces in this day.
Amor Artis is a refined chamber choir and orchestra, who work in music as Michelangelo did in marble. Their textured nuance and brilliant dynamics assure that each voice shines on its own, whether vocal or instrumental. Victoria's mysticism comes through in swirling music that rises like smoke up to the seat of the Divine. This recording marks, as well, the birth of the Amor Artis Edition label.
We are surrounded by what is often a cacophony of sounds. Buy this CD, put it on your iPod and feel the touch of something larger than ourselves, as you stroll through the concrete canyons of the City, watch the flowers in dappled sunlight in High Line park, or delight in the dance of the water in the fountains this Fall. This is truly music for all seasons.
More information about Amor Artis and their complete discography is available at www.amorartis.org. Their reach goes from Victoria to Mozart to Bernstein and beyond. Make their acquaintance and enjoy the work of Maestro Somary and the truly divine Amor Artis.