Mozart, Laudate Dominum, K. 339

The "Laudate Dominum" is part of the "Vesperae solennes de confessore" K. 339, written in Salzburg in 1780. The strikingly sensual beauty of the long soprano cantilena, highlighted by the filigree of the violin melody and supported by the rich bassoon tone, has undoubtedly been responsible for the enormous popularity this work has always enjoyed. The Vienna State Opera Chorus's All Saints' Day concert has become an institution in Vienna. Although the superbly homogeneous and subtly shading chorus plays the most important role throughout this concert, the orchestra also unfolds its warm and colorful and, at times, forceful personality. The concert in which this work was recorded took place on All Saints' Day 1986 under the musical direction of Claudio Abbado. The soloist here is the Finnish soprano Karita Mattila, whose "splendid timbre" was singled out by the reviewer of Vienna's leading daily "Die Presse."