Jan Ladislav Dussek: Messe Solemnelle

Academy of Ancient Music, dir. Richard Egarr
Choir of the Academy of Ancient Music
Stefanie True, soprano
Helen Charlston, mezzo-soprano
Gwilym Bowen, tenor
Morgan Pearse, baritone

Executive Producer: Alexander Van Ingen
Producer: Alexander Van Ingen
Engineer: Andrew Mellor
Editor: Dave Rowell
Mixing: Andrew Mellor

Gramophone Magazine, Choral Award, Winner 2021
Recordings of the Year, Finalist, Presto Music
Editor’s Choice, Presto Music
Records of the Year, The Times

“Dussek himself could scarcely have hoped for a performance as fine as this one, with the Academy on top form, a well-drilled choir of 20 clearly in thrall to Egarr’s infectious enthusiasm for the work and four finely matched soloists imparting plenty of personality…It’s a fascinating work and an important project, impressively recorded, exquisitely presented and enthusiastically recommended.” [Gramophone Magazine]

“Egarr’s enthusiasm for Dussek is infectious and justified by this fine performance from the well-balanced quartet of soloists and superb work from the AAM players and choir. A hugely worthwhile discovery of an unknown work by one of Mozart’s most gifted younger contemporaries.” [The Sunday Times]

“This superb world premiere recording of Dussek’s late masterpiece will hopefully inspire a few enterprising groups to continue Egarr’s sterling work in putting this glorious piece back on the map – and what a case he and the AAM make for it here, the period brass instruments alternately glowing and blazing, and the choral singers making light of the scintillating fugue of the Credo. Of a fine quartet of soloists, Helen Charlston’s assertive, characterful mezzo stands out, whilst Stefanie True’s perfectly-placed top Cs are a marvel.” [Presto Classical]