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Continuing their acclaimed series "Bach and his contemporaries", The King's Consort and Robert King turn their attention in this fourth volume to the astonishing sacred music of the remarkable Bohemian composer Jan Dismas Zelenka. Colourful, complex, ornate, idiosyncratic, old-fashioned yet simultaneously forward-looking, Zelenka's music never ceases to amaze. This disc presents wonderfully varied and individual works. Two are substantial choral pieces: the "Litaniae de Venerabili Sacramento" shows Zelenka's more conventional, old-fashioned style of writing, yet the splendidly individual Invitatorium “Regem cui omnia vivunt” gives a powerful impression of Zelenka’s choral style in a unique fusion of modern, dramatic gestures of harmony, dynamics and scoring. Also part of the same "Officium Defunctorum" were the three Lessons, which Zelenka scored for chamber forces. Here, instrumental colour in all its variety is to the fore, with the desolate texts enhanced by rare orchestral sounds including the soprano chalumeau, recorders and even muted oboes. Quirky in its orchestration too is the setting for soprano of "Salve Regina" in A minor where Zelenka's accompaniment is shared by concertante flute, oboe, violin and a larger ensemble in a substantial solo motet, gloriously sung by Carolyn Sampson. The final work too is a delight, with the vocal scoring of “Regina coeli laetare” reserved for three upper voices who sing in true "close harmony".

'Constantly fascinating to listen to. Especially when performed as beautifully and with such evident care and affection as it is on Robert King’s new CD … Zelenka’s curious music could scarcely have better advocacy' (Gramophone)

'A really first-rate release' (International Record Review)

'Eloquently presented by King and his first-rate accomplices' (Music Week)

'Performances are sensitive and stylish in ways that we have come to expect from this group' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Robert King and his period forces give performances it would be hard to beat' (Daily Telegraph)

'Robert King with his King’s Consort and Choir directs performances both moving and exhilarating' (The Guardian)

'The performance is outstanding, capturing the startlingly original nature of the piece with singing and playing of such vitality and commitment' (Fanfare, USA)

'All of the soloists deserve special mention for sensitive performances that are appropriately expressive and that add essential individual color … you must get to know this wonderful and very deserving composer' (ClassicsToday.com)

'This CD of Robert King's stands high on the list of of the best recordings of Zelenka's sacred music … for the characteristically exceptionally committed and supremely well-executed performances' (Goldberg)

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Recording details: March 2002; Air Studios, United Kingdom; Produced by Ben Turner; Engineered by Philip Hobbs; Release date: March 2003; DISCID: 18115015;