Page 113 - ASMF Marriner 100 Coverage Book

This Warner box set allows us to appreciate the qualities of the chef again. The first thing that strikes
you is the variety of the repertoire. Of course, there are Bach, Handel, Mozart, Rossini, but also
rarities: overtures by Cherubini, works by Michael Tippett, a Concerto grosso by Ernest Bloch, scores
by Wolf-Ferrari or cello concertos by Vieuxtemps. The accompaniment of concertos was one of the
great qualities of the conductor, who was as comfortable with established artists such as Janet Baker,
Rudolf Buchbinder, Barry Tuckwell, Josef Suk, Heinrich Schiff and with young talents: Christian
Zacharias, David Pyatt, Amanda Roocroft, Till Fellner, Dmitri Sitkovetsky... There is no hierarchy of
genres either with a conductor who is as attentive to accompanying Mozart concertos or Bach arias as
an album of concertos for double bass with Rodney Slatford or saxophone with John Harle. At a time
when so many young conductors are reluctant to develop their repertoire, this humility and devotion
to all forms of music is as exemplary as it is inspiring.

• The Baroque repertoire

Bach and Handel are particularly represented in this box set with an oratorio, choral scores,
concertante and orchestral works or vocal albums. The baroque repertoire was in the very DNA of Sir
Neville Marriner and his orchestra. The orchestra has thus played a fundamental role in the revival of
Baroque music with lean-down, fluid and haughty interpretations of the Baroque repertoire. It is the
link between a massive and heavy tradition from the first half of the twentieth century and the
reinterpretations of the pillars of the first generation of "baroqueists" such as Nikolaus Harnoncourt,
Gustav Leonhardt, Christopher Hogwood,...). In addition, Sir Neville Marriner has always remained
faithful to modern instruments, not venturing towards authentic instruments. However, the test of
time is a bit tricky for these albums. Whether it's the Brandenburg Concertos, Bach's Orchestral
Suites or Handel's Water Music Suites, it struggles a little to make its mark at the top, even if it
deserves an ear. From Bach, we keep Piano Concertos, very interesting by Andrei Gavrilov on
keyboards. Sir Nevill Marriner had made a specialty of Handel's Messiah, he takes up the composer's
masterpiece in its German version Der Messiah recorded in Stuttgart with the Stuttgart Choir and