The Habsburg Garden of Eden, Music by Caldara, Bonporti, Handel, Biber, Ziani,Muffat Ensemble Arava

• Antonio Caldara (1670 - 1736): Risoluto son già tiranno amore:
• 1 Caldara: Risoluto son già tiranno amore: I. Recitativo. Risoluto 00:53
• 2 Caldara: Risoluto son già tiranno amore: II. Aria. Armato di strali 03:34
• 3 Caldara: Risoluto son già tiranno amore: III. Recitativo. Quel panico spavento 00:50
• 4 Caldara: Risoluto son già tiranno amore: IV. Aria. Guerra Guerra 04:55
• Francesco Antonio Bonporti (1672 - 1749): Aria cromatica, e variata No. 1 in A Minor:
• 5 Bonporti: Aria cromatica, e variata No. 1 in A Minor 07:19
• George Frideric Handel (1685 - 1759): Un'alma innamorata in D Minor, HWV 173:
• 6 Handel: Un'alma innamorata in D Minor, HWV 173: I. Recitativo. Un'alma innamorata 00:33
• 7 Handel: Un'alma innamorata in D Minor, HWV 173: II. Aria. Quel povero core 07:16
• 8 Handel: Un'alma innamorata in D Minor, HWV 173: III. Recitativo. E pur benche 00:22
• 9 Handel: Un'alma innamorata in D Minor, HWV 173: IV. Aria. Io godo 05:17
• 10 Handel: Un'alma innamorata in D Minor, HWV 173: V. Recitativo. In quanto a me 00:18
• 11 Handel: Un'alma innamorata in D Minor, HWV 173: VI. Aria. Ben impari 01:59
• Heinrich Ignaz Franz Von Biber (1644 - 1704): Sonata No. 6 in C Minor, C 143:
• 12 Biber: Sonata No. 6 in C Minor, C 143 13:56
• Marc'Antonio Ziani (1653 - 1715): Alma mater redemptoris:
• 13 Ziani: Alma mater redemptoris 05:51
• Georg Muffat (1653 - 1704): Sonata violino solo in D Major:
• 14 Muffat: Sonata violino solo in D Major: I. Adagio-Allegro-Adagio-Allegro-Adagio 13:33
• Total Runtime 01:06:36

Info for The Habsburg Garden of Eden, Music by Caldara, Bonporti, Handel, Biber, Ziani,Muffat

Vienna, Salzburg and Rome were among the principal centres of power for the Holy Roman Empire of the late 17th and early 18th centuries, and they accordingly attracted the most talented and ambitious composers of the day. The Venetian-born Caldara aspired to the post of Court Kapellmeister in Vienna, and composed the wedding music for Emperor Charles VI in 1708. He won huge success in Rome, where he followed in the footsteps of the young Handel, and eventually won the favour of the emperor himself, who even conducted some of Caldara’s operas.

Secular cantatas by the two composers therefore form the centrepieces of this unique recital. The vocal writing by Caldara, in Risoluto son già tiranno amore, and Handel’s Un’alma innamorata,emphasises the vocal brilliance of the singers in bravura coloratura with finely elaborated instrumental accompaniment. The ostensible theme of both cantatas is the standard trope of thwarted and unrequited love in a pastoral context, but mainly to represent imperial power.

Bonporti, Ziani, Biber and Muffat also won fame for the virtuosity as performers and composers in an Italiante style whether they came from north or south of the Alps. Bonporti’s Aria cromatica is as bold and innovative in its harmony as the violin sonatas of Biber and Muffat are in their extensions of violin technique. The featured work by the lesser-known Ziani is a setting of the Marian hymn Alma redemptoris mater, with closely interwoven parts for soprano and violin.

Based in Germany, the four young musicians of Ensemble Arava gathered together specifically to explore the rich Baroque heritage of music for soprano, violin and continuo. They named themselves after the Hebrew word for willow as well as wilderness, symbolising both untamed nature and the annual rejuvenation of spring. They have won prizes at several international early-music competitions: this release marks their debut album.

The Habsburg Empire was a unique melting pot of cultural currents at the end of the 17th and beginning of the 18th centuries. Similar to the French court, the emperors in Vienna sought to distinguish themselves through music. In contrast to Versailles, however, there had already been a strong affinity to Italian music here. Coupled with the influences from the Bohemian region and the many travel movements across the Alps, this led to a marked flourishing of musical life in eastern Central Europe.

This original concept program present works by Caldara, Bonporti, Händel, Biber, Ziani and Muffat, a mix of Cantatas on secular texts and instrumental sonatas, all bearing witness of the extraordinary high musical level of the period.

The Arava Ensemble (Arava is Hebrew for willow, but also of wilderness) consist of soprano, violin, cello and harpsichord, performing vocal and instrumental music in their concerts with creative explanations. They were awarded first prize as well as the audience award at the International Competition for Concert Explanation and Presentation in Frankfurt. They have performed at Resonanzen Festival in the Konzerthaus, Vienna and at the Innsbruck Festival of Early Music. They have been musical ambassadors for UNESCO City of Music, Hanover, Germany at the international Día de la Música in Seville, Spain.

Ensemble Arava

Ensemble Arava
consists of four musicians, on three instruments, of two nationalities, who wish to share their love for Baroque music with the rest of the world. Plenty of music has been written for soprano, violin and continuo, but it is not heard often enough. It is our aim to bring this music to life.

All of us enhoy alternating between being chamber music partners and a soloist, and this is reflected in our divers programs.

Aiming for an atmosphere where artist and audience can connect on a personal level, we guide through our concerts with creative explanations that allow the public to enter into the world of the music they are listening to.

In Frankfurt, Germany, we were awarded with the first prize as well as the audience prize at the First International Competition for Concert Explanation and Presentation 2017. Our ensemble was praised both for its high-quality artistic level and its creative presentation.

We were awarded a special prize at the H.I.F. Biber – Fiori Musicali Competition in Austria in 2017. In 2018, we performed in the Resonanzen Festival in the Konzerthaus Vienna and in 2019 at the Innsbrucker Tage für Alte Musik.

In 2015, we were musical ambassadors for the UNESCO City of Music, Hanover, Germany in the festival Día de la Música in Seville, Spain.

The members of our ensemble have been awarded numerous prizes (XXI. Bach Competition for harpsichord, Leipzig, Pietro Antonio Cesti Competition, Innsbruck) and perform in renowned venues worldwide.

Booklet for The Habsburg Garden of Eden, Music by Caldara, Bonporti, Handel, Biber, Ziani,Muffat