The Choir of The Queen’s College, Oxford, Academy of Ancient Music, and an outstanding array of soloists join forces to breathe new life into the choral works of Giovanni Bononcini (1670-1747). Bononcini was Handel’s main rival in London, and with little to separate the two in terms of public status and reputation, they were dubbed the Tweedle-dum and Tweedle-dee of London’s music scene in the 1720s. Soon after his arrival in London Bononcini was afforded the honour of writing a grand orchestral anthem – When Saul was King – for the magnificent funeral of the Duke of Marlborough. Bononcini’s music was particularly highly prized by members of London’s original Academy of Ancient Music. Given this contemporary reputation and the quality of his works for voices and orchestra, it is surprising that Bononcini sacred music has now fallen into obscurity. This is the first recording not only of Ave maris stella and Laudate pueri but also of the original D-major version of Bononcini’s Te Deum, and these works have been newly edited here from their English eighteenth-century sources.
★★★★★ “The interpretations, full of precision, correctness and expressive restraint, reveal fabulous music, much of it recorded for the first time…The Academy of Ancient Music remains a reference for beautiful and compact sound, while the Queen’s College Choir combines all the fantastic British choral tradition, so dreamy and neat, with magnificent voices in all its ranges, highlighting its angelic boy sopranos” – Ritmo
“Any release by Owen Rees and the Academy of Ancient Music is invariably well thought out with impeccable musicianship and this recording is no exception and in conjunction with some quality singing from the Choir of the Queen’s College, Oxford along with eight soloists makes for an enjoyable listen.” – Cross Rhythms
“All works are moving and elegant,” – Sonograma
“This release deserves an unequivocal welcome” – MusicWebInternational
★★★★1/2 star Performance, ★★★★1/2 star Recording “Owen Rees lets everything unfold in a very natural flow…The Choir of The Queen’s College Oxford with it’s female soprano and alto parts demonstrates the legendary qualities of the English choral tradition…the performance of the vocal soloists is very good overall” – FONO FORUM