Gregor Werner

Pro Adventu

Ars Antiqua Austria / Gunar Letzbor

Label: Challenge Classics
Format: CD
Barcode: 0608917251326

Catalog number: CC 72513
Releasedate: 07-09-12

Werner remained true to the idiom of Baroque music. Though Werner did not like Haydn's music very much, Haydn’s regard for this famous master was very high. What a delight that Werner's music is dusted off now by Ars Antiqua Austria!

Haydn’s regard for this famous master Werner was so high that he worked during the last months of his life on the edition and publishing of Werner’s quartets!
Ars Antiqua Austria's recording of Viviani's "Capricci Armonici" received a Cannes Classical Award 2002
Gunar Letzbor is internationally known as a violinist who plays with dazzling, with an impeccable intonation
Ars Antiqua Austria plays on period instruments
Ars Antiqua Austria is an important ensemble in the early music world
Gunar Letzbor and his musicians have a profound knowledge of their Austrian musical heritage, especially the Viennese baroque period

Gregorius Josephus Werner (1695-1766)
Pro Adventu

Gregor Werner (1695-1766) began directing the fortunes of the Esterházy court band, the Hofkapelle, on 10 May 1728. He was an industrious man. Forty Masses, three Requiems, three Te Deums, four
Offertories, twelve Vespers, twelve Good Friday oratorios, approximately eighteen oratorios, a hundred and thirty-three antiphons and a multitude of instrumental pieces and minor works testify to his fertile creative spirit.

Little is known of his youth. He is sure to have spent an lengthy period in Vienna. The quodlibets “Bauren- Richters-Wahl” and “Der Wienner- ische Tandelmarkt” demonstrate an intimate knowledge of the Viennese background and spoken dialect in the Late Baroque period. His skilful counterpoint style suggests a connec- tion to the Court Kapellmeister J.J. Fux (1660-1741).
Werner seems to have found utter fulfilment in his work for the princely band. It seems he did not undertake any further travels. Isolated in the eastern region of the empire he wrote one musical gem after another. His oeuvre reveals the early a-capella style as well as the Baroque concer- tante style of the turn of the century.
As with Fux, there are no “lazy parts” in his counterpoint settings.

Throughout his life he remained true to the idiom of Baroque music-making and refused to adapt in any way to new fashions. Thus it is no wonder that he is supposed to have spoken disparagingly of Joseph Haydn as “G`sanglmacher” – “common songwriter” – and “Modehansl” – fashion lackey.

Nevertheless Haydn’s regard for this famous master was so high that he worked during the last months of his life on the edition and publishing of Werner’s quartets! What a delight that Werner's music is dusted off now by Ars Antiqua Austria!