Scarlatti • Dvořák

Scarlatti: Stabat Mater; Dvořák: Stabat Mater

La Tempête; Simon-pierre Bestion Alpha ALPHA1054 93 mins (2 discs)

La Tempête is a group inspired by points of contact and influence across time and space. For their latest venture, irreverent director Simon-pierre Bestion finds parallels in two Stabat Maters composed more than 150 years apart, by Domenico Scarlatti and Dvořák. There are biographical similarities – both wrote their settings at the same age, and had the same number of children (although Dvořák’s setting mourns the losses of his first three). But for Bestion, he detects in them the same ‘tonal language, same expression of sorrow’.

Rather than placing the settings side by side, he interpolates them in alternating tracks, calling for a ‘sensory experience’ over a liturgical one. A new re-orchestration brings their soundworlds closer together, augmenting Scarlatti with chamber strings and scaling down Dvořák with an intimate piano accompaniment. But despite their common key, shifting back and forth between different harmonic languages makes for a rather unsettled listening experience.

Concept aside, the performance is mostly very well refined, with a bright, fervent choral sound. A finely balanced quartet of soloists brings poise and panache to the Dvořák, with some superb moments from soprano Amélie Raison and tenor Edouard Monjanel.

Across the two discs, we’re ushered along on a journey from deep introspection to brilliant extroversion. If there’s a section where Bestion’s thesis bears out, it’s in the last few tracks, where we get a greater sense of Scarlatti’s and Dvořák’s kindred spirits through their whirling, ecstatic final movements. A stylish and vibrant performance on the whole – but the maverick mash-up might not sell it to all listeners. Amelia Parker PERFORMANCE

RECORDING