Hasse, Johann Adolph
Johann Adolph Hasse Il Sassone (1699 - 1783) was for a number of decades the most prolific and popular composers of opera seria in Italy and German-speaking countries. He was '...a German with the musical passions of an Italian...' A close association with Metastasio and a series of important positions in the musical world meant that his works were presented in an appropriate manner in some of the major theatres of the time from London through Italy and Germany to Vienna.
Immensely popular in his time, Hasse was best known for his prolific operatic output, and was a pivotal figure in the development of opera seria and 18th-century music in general.
Source: BL R.M.c.17.(4) 15ff (once the property of Dr Burney)
In three sections of two hexameters each this is a beautiful setting of the latin text.
The Alma Redemptoris Mater is one of the four seasonal antiphons prescribed to be sung or recited in the Liturgy of the Hours after night prayer (Compline or Vespers). It is usually sung from the eve of the first Sunday of Advent until the Friday before the Feast of the Presentation.
Range: b flat - d'
Editor: James Sanderson
In this plaint over the pain of love there is a disturbing link between the 'loving chains' and 'sweet signs' of love.
ARA format with a lovely andantino to start and a dotted allegro to finish.
Source: Münster Santini Sammlung HS 2358(8)
Range: e - a''
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 14213 ff 23r - 27v (only source)
Here's where you learn not to ask nature where your love is concealed! One glance and she loses her liberty and gains a lover!!
Aria (cantabile) - recit - aria (un poco allegro) format.
Range: e - a''
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 14213 ff 17r - 22v (only source)
A totally charming work, both musically and textually - despite a little sentimentality. The text can be summarised with one of the lines from the second aria '...there may be more beautiful shepherdesses out there, but you'll never find one as faithful...' Sweet! Excellent largo to start and a stirring presto for the final aria.
Range: d - g'
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 14213 (only source)
Once again a young man's love is being rejected by a heartless shepherdess. 2 recit & arias format with a large dominant pedal presence!
Range: d - e'
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL MS Add 31604
Particularly 'classical' feel to this virtuoso cantata. 2 recit and aria form
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add 14213 ff 37v - 48v (only source)
This a charming cantata with an opening ritornello vaguely reminiscent of the Vivaldi Gloria. Three movements: aria (larghetto e staccato), recitative and aria (allegretto)
The theme is Arcadian, this time the shepherd(ess) compares him/herself to the dove and the way it behaves when separated from it's love.
Range: a - e'
Editor: James Sanderson
From the collection of the Biblioteca del Conservatorio di musica S. Pietro a Majella this is a charming cantata for contralto and continuo. Typically, our protagonist is in love with a dismissive Irene and he expresses this in a RARA format with sinuous recitatives, a complex. chromatic first Adagio aria and a fiery aria to finish.
Editor: James Sanderson
from BL MS Add 14214. Lovely throbbing affettuoso to start and an extraordinary chromatic 'B' section in the second aria.
Range d - a'
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL MS Add 14214
An interestingly chromatic cantata with a wide range and virtuosic writing for the voice and continuo
Editor: James Sanderson
O peace of my heart, where do you wander?
A beautiful RARA format cantata with roccoco harmony, delightful vocal lines and a real charm.
Range: c - f'
Editor: James Sanderson
A classic lontananza cantata with great pathos. RARA format and filled with plangent melody and extraordinary harmonic shifts in the recitatives. Mirzia is our heroine and her erstwhile lover is forced to be separated from her. Oh, the anguish!!
Editor: James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 14213 ff 28r - 36v
Edited from an extremely clear copy in a lower key than usual (starts E major), this very popular cantata of the time (1732) exists in at least 8 copies world-wide. With a charming Sì suonar se piace opening with triplets against duplets, the cantata is in aria - recit - aria format. In the Metastasian text, it appears Clori has strayed, but her lover waits for her, knowing that the stream must return to the sea.
Range: b - g'
Editor: James Sanderson
Source BL MS Add. 14229
A very interesting cantata with obbligato keyboard accompaniment in first aria. Large range from c - b flat'' Text by Metastasio and from the number of copies extant this must have been a popular piece!
Editor: James Sanderson
To go through many pains to acheive true love seems to be the moral of many of the Pastoral cantata texts and this beautiful example is no exception. In ARA format, the first aria in 2/4 then 3/8, the last a lovely allegro moderato
Source: MSS in Münster and the British Library
Range: c - e'
Editor: James Sanderson
Dated London, 1751 this cantata can be performed with either violins or flutes/recorders - it is unclear from the source as to which instrument was preferred (althoug if pushed I would probably lean towards flutes/recorders because of the instrumental writing in the first aria - Amoroso). The subject is a rather coy lady, probably in love with the Fileno to whom she speaks, but who knows?
Range: c' - f''
Editor: Kate Eckersley & James Sanderson
Source: BL Add MS 14213 ff 49v - 55v
This was a very popular work at the time of its writing. There are no fewer than 7 copies extant, 3 of which are in the UK. The cantata starts with an aria with 'Si suonar se piace' over contrary motion figures in the continuo/upper part. Reminiscent in some ways of Orgoglioso fiumicello. The final section is a recit-cum-arioso apologising for any interruption! Very singable, very enjoyable...
Range: b - e'
Editor: James Sanderson
Charming cantata, widely circulated with two recits and arias, both arias and second recit include flute.
Research: Kate Eckersley
Sources: Royal College of Music MSS 695 and Biblioteca del Conservatorio di musica S. Pietro a Majella Cantate 157
Editor: James Sanderson
Hasse's setting of Pietro Metastasio's Cantata V: Il Nome, a hugely popular cantata text which deals with the lovers Clori and Filomena. Here, using the unusual combination of flute and alto voice in ARA format.
Source: copy in Münster Santini Sammlung HS 1940.
Range: b - g'
Editor: James Sanderson
- 1