In 1992, jazz legend Wynton Marsalis and renowned soprano Kathleen Battle collaborated on "Baroque Duet," a captivating exploration of baroque masterpieces, released under the Sony Classical label. This album is a unique blend of classical elegance and Marsalis' signature jazz sensibilities, featuring the Orchestra of St. Luke's and conducted by John Nelson. The recording spans a diverse range of compositions, including works by Handel, Scarlatti, and Bach, showcasing the versatility and depth of both artists.
The album kicks off with Handel's "Let the Bright Seraphim" from "Samson, HWV 57," setting the stage for a journey through baroque arias, cantatas, and sinfonias. Marsalis' trumpet work is particularly striking in pieces like "7 Arie con Tromba Sola" and "Sinfonia avanti il Barcheggio in D Major," where his improvisational flair adds a fresh perspective to these historical pieces. Kathleen Battle's vocals shine in tracks like "Su le sponde del Tebro" and "Pace una volta," demonstrating her ability to convey both power and delicacy.
"Baroque Duet" is not just a collection of songs but a testament to the timeless appeal of baroque music and the innovative spirit of Wynton Marsalis. The album's 23 tracks, spanning over an hour, offer a rich listening experience that highlights the beauty of baroque compositions while infusing them with a modern jazz twist. Whether you're a fan of classical music, jazz, or both, this album is sure to captivate and inspire.
(P) 1992 SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Tracks
Let the Bright Seraphim (From "Samson, HWV 57")George Frideric Handel, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald
7 Arie con Tromba Sola: No. 1, Si suoni la trombaAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald, Marc Goldberg
7 Arie con Tromba Sola: No. 3, Con voce festivaAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Marc Goldberg, John Nelson
7 Arie con Tromba Sola: No. 4, Rompe sprezzaAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald, Marc Goldberg
7 Arie con Tromba Sola: No. 6. Mio tesoro per te moro (Aria in forma di Menuet alla Francese)Alessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald, Marc Goldberg
Su le sponde del Tebro - Cantata a voce sola con Violini e Tromba: 1. Sinfonia. GraveAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney
Su le sponde del Tebro - Cantata a voce sola con Violini e Tromba: 2. RecitativoAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney
Su le sponde del Tebro - Cantata a voce sola con Violini e Tromba: 3. Sinfonia - AriaAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney
Su le sponde del Tebro - Cantata a voce sola con Violini e Tromba: 4. RecitativoAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney
Su le sponde del Tebro - Cantata a voce sola con Violini e Tromba: 5. Aria. LargoAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney
Su le sponde del Tebro - Cantata a voce sola con Violini e Tromba: 6. *Aria. (Poco mosso, sempre dolce e leggiero) - Ritornello*Alessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Anthony Newman, John T. Kulowitsch, Daire Fitzgerald
Su le sponde del Tebro - Cantata a voce sola con Violini e Tromba: 7. RecitativoAlessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney
Su le sponde del Tebro - Cantata a voce sola con Violini e Tromba: 8. Aria - Sinfonia. Grave (da capo)Alessandro Scarlatti, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney
Eternal Source of Light Divine (From "Ode for the Birthday of Queen Anne, HWV 74")George Frideric Handel, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Pace una volta (From "Zenobia")Luca Antonio Predieri, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Anthony Newman
Sinfonia avanti il Barcheggio in D Major for Trumpet, Strings and Continuo: 1. Spiritosa, e staccataAlessandro Stradella, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald
Sinfonia avanti il Barcheggio in D Major for Trumpet, Strings and Continuo: 2. [Allegretto - Corrente]Alessandro Stradella, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald
Sinfonia avanti il Barcheggio in D Major for Trumpet, Strings and Continuo: 3. CanzoneAlessandro Stradella, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald
Sinfonia avanti il Barcheggio in D Major for Trumpet, Strings and Continuo: 4. [Allegro]Alessandro Stradella, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald
Aria. Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not (From Cantata No. 21 "Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis", BWV 21)Johann Sebastian Bach, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald
Alle voci del bronzo guerriero from Cantata No. 19 "O! come chiare e belle" HWV 143George Frideric Handel, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, John Feeney, Orchestra of St. Luke's
Cantata No. 51 "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen", BWV 51: 1. AriaJohann Sebastian Bach, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, Krista Bennion Feeney, Eriko Sato, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald, John Nelson
Cantata No. 51 "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen", BWV 51: 4. Choral - AllelujaJohann Sebastian Bach, Wynton Marsalis, Kathleen Battle, John Nelson, Anthony Newman, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Krista Bennion Feeney, Eriko Sato, John Feeney, Daire Fitzgerald