Influential, popular and prolific in his day, Bavarian born Simon Mayr left his mark in providing a bridge between Northern classicism and the bel canto of Italy, his adopted country of residence. The oratorio Samuele deals with the calling of Samuel as a prophet, and was written in 1821 for the consecration of Pietro Mola as Bishop of Bergamo. Mayr set his oratorio to the Poesia of one of his pupils, Bartolomeo Merelli, the collaboration resulting in a fascinating work which combines theology with dramatic innovation such as the use of 'melodrama' or spoken text. Since 1982 Franz Hauk has served as organist, and since 1995 as choirmaster, at the Cathedral in Munster. Since 2002 he has taught historical performance practice and church music at the Munich State Hochschule fur Musik und Theater in Munchen. He has done much to foster a revival of interest in the composer Simon Mayr.

Tracklist:

Samuele: Part I Scene 1: Introduzione: Alfine In Petto L'anima (Chorus)
Samuele: Part I Scene 1: Recitativo: Eccoci Giunti Alfin (Anna, Elcana)
Samuele: Part I Scene 1: Duetto: Or Piu Cara E A Me La Vita (Anna, Elcana)
Samuele: Part I Scene 1: Recitativo: Egli E La (Anna, Elcana, Children)
Samuele: Part I Scene 1: Aria: Di Gioja Il Cor Mi Palpita (Anna, Tutti)
Samuele: Part I Scene 1: Recitativo: O Sovra L'altre Madri (Elcana, Anna, Children)
Samuele: Part I Scene 1: Marcia
Samuele: Part I Scene 1: Coro: Chi Di Purpurea Chioma (Chorus)
Samuele: Part II Scene 2: Recitativo: Delle Festose Turbe (Eli, Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 3: Aria: Esser Degli Esseri (Eli)
Samuele: Part II Scene 3: Recitativo: Ma Qual Si Sparge Intorno (Eli)
Samuele: Part II Scene 4: Recitativo: Che Ascoltai? (Samuele, Eli)
Samuele: Part II Scene 4: Duetto: Che Tento! (Eli, Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Marcia Religiosa
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Coro: Delle Tue Glorie (Chorus)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Recitativo: Saggio Mortal (Elcana, Anna, Eli, Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Quartetto: Ah Madre … (Elcana, Anna, Eli, Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Recitativo: Come Anelava, O Caro (Elcana, Anna, Eli, Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Preghiera: Dio, Che Immortal, Benefico (Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Recitativo: Ma Quale Il Sen M'investe (Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Melodramma: Quanto, O Signor, Sei Grande (Samuele, Anna, Elcana, Chorus Of Levites, Children)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Coro Ed Arioso: Qual Stupor! … Quale Oltraggio Inudito! (Chorus, Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Recitativo: Come? Ai Divini Accenti (Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Arioso: Cinto Il Crine Di Folgori Orrende (Samuele)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Coro: Ah! Qual Fragor! (Chorus)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Coro: Gran Dio! La Tua Vendetta (Chorus)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Recitativo: V'intendo: Ah Non Fia Mai (Samuele, Elcana, Anna, Eli, Children)
Samuele: Part II Scene 5: Coro: Omaggio Al Vero (Chorus, Samuele, Anna, Eli, Elcana, Chorus Of Young Prophets)

UPC: 747313272174
Label: Naxos
Release Date: 6.26.12
Format: CD

Franz Hauk - Samuele (Oratorio) (2 CD)