Girolamo Abos, the composer, was born in Malta but spent most of his life in Naples, where he became known as a music teacher and composer of sacred and secular music.
Compositional Technique
Abos's works on this album are multi-movement pieces written in the concertato style, which blends choral and solo passages performed by the main choir(s).
Performer Biography
The Kölner Akademie, the ensemble on this recording, performs music from the 17th to 21st centuries using both modern and historical instruments.
Interpretation
The Kölner Akademie aims to honor composers' intentions by using historical seating plans, critical editions, and appropriate instrumentation for each work.
Composition History
The three works on this album by Girolamo Abos, the Benedictus, Magnificat, and Messa a due cori, were composed during the last decade of his life, with the Mass dating to 1756.
Composer's Artistic Vision
All of Girolamo Abos's works on this album express the Neapolitan Galant style, which was prevalent from 1720 to 1780.
Performer Biography
Michael Alexander Willens, the artistic director of the Kölner Akademie, has a broad musical background, including baroque, classical, romantic, contemporary classical, jazz, and pop music.
