Tyrolian Musical Treasures 18

Court Music at Ambras Castle
Alexander Utendal (about 1530-1581) Froeliche newe Teutsche vnnd Frantzoesische Lieder (1574)
This CD is a special treasure. Discovering a masterpiece of musical history is certainly not an everyday occurrence these days. It remains all the more a mystery that a composition of such outstanding quality never met with the response it deserves, neither in music research nor in current musical practice. Alexander Utendal was the director of the famous court ensemble of singers and instrumentalists of Archduke Ferdinand II of Tyrol. The latter had Ambras Castle rebuilt and decorated in grand style for his wife, who was a commoner. It was to his art-loving lord that Utendal dedicated this collection of Lieder (songs). For the content he must have taken Archduke Ferdinand’s preferences into consideration, for he was particularly partial to the folk songs of the olden days. Hence Utendal resorted almost entirely to older, preferably folksy, texts and “set them to music and fashioned them in a special unusual and yet charming manner and melody,” as he remarked in the foreword. In fact, his compositional practice is completely novel. Unlike his predecessors in the genre of Gesellschaftslied (social polyphonic song), such as Christian Hollander, another member of the Innsbruck court music ensemble, he does not use prefabricated tunes, but takes the words as his point of departure, interpreting them in virtuoso fashion by applying the new madrigal techniques. The Spanish Hall of Ambras Castle with its magnificent atmosphere seemed like the most authentic venue for a presentation of Utendal’s masterpiece. This CD production is the acoustic replica of the memorable concerts held in July 2001. The 26 song settings for four to six voices (13 German and 13 French songs) are interpreted by the best vocal soloists and instrumentalists on historical instruments. Their performances are enduringly impressive.

Track 11, 2:11
Wie soll ein Hertz leben on Schmertz