Pergolesi: Stabat Mater; Salve Regina
For two centuries, Pergolesi'sStabat Materfor soprano, alto, and strings has been a legend as much as a piece of music; Pergolesi literally finished the work on his deathbed, so how could it be otherwise? Fortunately, in a good performance such as this one, the music lives up to the myth. Soloists Emma Kirkby and James Bowman, leading lights of the 1980s Baroque revival, have always evoked polarized reactions: traditional opera buff types generally detest them (they should try version withMargaret Marshall and Lucia Valentini-Terrani), while early- music lovers find their voices ideal for this repertory. Kirkby's uniquely pure, clear, and flexible voice suits this music very well indeed; Bowman's voice is more controversial, and he does show some discomfort on the highest notes, but he's an expressive musician; both singers have a fine sense of line and impeccable tuning--Pergolesi's many dramatic suspensions are especially effective. Christopher Hogwood leads a sensitive performance, not radical in any way but quite persuasive.--Matthew Westphal