Review

Antonio Caldara
Deh' Sciogliete o mest lumi: from Morte e Sepoltura di Cristo

Arranged by Richard I. Schwartz and Mark J. LaFratta

alto and tenor trombones, soprano, and keyboard

Coventry, , United Kingdom
Publisher: Warwick Music Publishers
Date of Publication: 2005
URL: http://www.warwickmusic.com

Score and parts

Primary Genre: Chamber Music

The work is an excellent example of the Baroque “Sepolcro” oratorios. As explained in the extensive liner notes Morte e Sepoltura di Cristo (The Death and Burial of Christ) was one of the many “Sepolcro” oratorios written by Caldara. This one features a text by D. Francesco Fozio and was commissioned by the Austrian Habsburg Royal family. “Deh' Sciogliete o mest lumi” is another arrangement by Messrs. Schwartz and LaFratta using alto trombone and voice. In the key of B minor, the work is scored for alto and tenor trombones, soprano voice, organ and optional bassoon. Ranges are playable on tenors, although the alto color is desirable and represent no difficulty for the players: alto trombone range: b–a1 (alto clef); tenor trombone range: f–f1 (tenor clef); voice range: d1-f2 (separate part provided). Additionally the trombone parts are simple, usually playing the same rhythm or the same rhythm one beat apart. The work is really carried by the soprano with trombone parts that are playable by high school level players.

The piece is organized in an ABA, da Capo fashion and was found at the Österreichishe Nationalbibliothek, Vienna (Mus.Hs. 17.120). The original violin and bassoon parts have been assimilated into the realization of the keyboard part. A translation of the text is provided. Tempo is marked Andante, quarter=66. This is a nice work that is best suited for a voice recital, but worth pursuing in chamber settings. Warwick includes a portion of the score on their website.

-Robert Kehle
Pittsburg State University