Agostino Steffani
About the composer
Agostino Steffani (1654 – 1728) was not only a composer and musician (Kapellmeister to the court in Hanover), but beside that he was a priest (titular bishop) and diplomat. He even mediated in one of the frequent disputes between the Emperor and the Pope. Steffani is nowadays predominantly known for his cantatas and duets, but in his own days he was admired for his operas. His “Stabat Mater for 6 voices, 6 strings and organ” is probably composed after 1706.
About the Stabat Mater
| Date: | 1727 |
| Performers: | 2 Sopranos, Alto, 2 Tenors , Bass, choir, strings and organ |
| Length: | 29.35 minutes |
| Particulars: | The composition is divided into twelve sections of one to four stanzas. Instead of the six voices singing together a choir is used in seven of the sections; in two of these we hear a soprano soloist. Unusual is the fact that in several sections identical voices (sopranos, tenors) are singing in a duet or trio. |
| Textual variations: | The "Analecta"-version of the text is used, without any changes. |
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CD information
| CD : | Deutsche Harmonia Mundi DHM 05472 77344: Biber – Requiem, Steffani – Stabat Mater |
| About this CD: | A very fine interpretation by the musicians of the Dutch Bach-society of two hardly known sacred works. Recorded at the Pieterskerk, Utrecht, the Netherlands, in October 1994. |
| Orchestra: | Barokorkest van de nederlandse Bachvereniging |
| Choir: | Koor van de Nederlandse Bachvereniging |
| Conductor: | Gustav Leonardt |
| Soloists: | Marta Almajano, soprano |
| Other works: | Heinrich Ignaz Franz Biber: Requiem a 15 |
| Code: | STEF-01 |
