Countertenor Andreas Scholl sings the slow movement from Vivaldi's Nisi Dominus Nisi Dominus is a setting of the Latin text of Psalm 127 (Vulgate 126). Vivaldi's Nisi Dominus, RV 608, is in G minor and is scored for solo voice, viola d'amore, a small string group, and continuo. It is one of two settings by Vivaldi of the Nisi dominus (Psalm 126 or 127) text. The other, RV 803, only recently authenticated, dates from the late 1730s, but RV 608 is an early work, perhaps composed for the Venetian girls' orphanage that employed the composer in the 1710s. In nine short sections, the work is remarkable for its variety; it supports the conclusion that the obscurity of Vivaldi's vocal music is due more to historical accident than to any lack of quality. Though it has been sung by male countertenors, the vocal part would probably have been composed for a female alto if the work indeed originated during Vivaldi's tenure at the orphanage. It is the variety of instrumental accompaniments, as vivid as those of any Baroque opera, that brings the work to life. The third section, "Surgite" ("It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows") is an accompanied recitative with vigorous illustrations of both the early riser and the bread of sorrows in the orchestral strings. The following "Cum dederit" ("When He shall give sleep...") is a masterful chromatic siciliana that ranks among the most alluring Baroque depictions of sleep, complete with string mutes. "Sicut sagittae" ("Like arrows in the hand of a mighty man...") offers still more operatic text-painting, with stabbing unisons dominating the texture. The "Gloria" section replaces the usual festive mood with a meditative, dark setting, and the other movements are similarly original. Some have simple continuo accompaniment, while others have a viola d'amore part (perhaps written for Vivaldi's own use, for he was a virtuoso player on the instrument) taking on a concerto-like role. It is perhaps only the presence of that unusual instrument that has kept this lovely work from the pinnacles of popularity where some of Vivaldi's other compositions reside. Andreas Scholl -que ha firmado con Chiara Banchini una de las grandes versiones de esta obra (Harmonia Mundi)- aunque frío como el mármol tiene mayor delicadeza y refinamiento que Daniels. Scholl es la elegancia personificada de emisión perfecta y voz esmaltada. Daniels hace una lectura escorada hacia lo dionisiaco frente a la apolínea versión de Scholl, mucho más adecuada al espíritu de la partitura. Eso sí, Biondi es oro refulgente comparado con Bianchini, monótona e imperfecta. El Nisi Dominus compuesto alrededor de 1717 es un auténtico regalo para la voz con momentos de gran belleza. Sólo hay que escuchar la frase final del "Surgite" en la que calla la cuerda y sólo queda el laúd y ver como Daniels mantiene largamente la nota final sobre la última sílaba de "Doloris" con un ligero y bellísimo vibrato, un detalle de categoría. Igual de espléndido está en una de las arias más increíbles, "Cum dederit dilectis", de hipnóticas sonoridades en el que el obsesivo acompañamiento de Biondi resulta ideal para la matizada lectura del solista. También destacaremos la plateada viola d’amore de Biondi en la cadencia del "Gloria Patri". Hay que lamentar que el bajo continuo, especialmente el órgano, acapare demasiado protagonismo. Pero lo que convierte a este disco en singular es el terremótico motete final, Longe mala, umbrae, terrores RV 629. Aquí, tanto director como solista firman una versión ganadora en todos los aspectos. El movimiento inicial con un Biondi desmelenado y apasionado y un solista que supera las dificultades de la coloratura con vehemencia y brillantez, es sensacional. Seguidamente, el aria central, "Descende, o coeli vox" de efecto balsámico donde el contratenor demuestra belleza, lirismo y gran control en la respiración para rematar con el "Alleluia" final donde Daniels ornamenta con insolente facilidad, buen gusto y autoridad. Biondi pone la rúbrica a una versión que supera con creces a la de Robert King (Hyperion) de pesada grandiosidad. https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=P1ywyRbaMHg