Auf Wiener Art
Music from the Habsburg Imperial Court

Le Jardin Secret

Continuing its work with young artists, CORO has the pleasure of releasing Auf Wiener Art - the second recording by Le Jardin Secret, winners of both the first prize and audience prize at the Early Music Network Young Artists Competition 2007.

Following on from their debut album, Musique Pour Mazarin!, Auf Wiener Art is a fascinating pot-pourri of musical gems from the Habsburg Imperial Court. The house of Habsburg and its court lived and breathed music. Encouraged by the infectious musical appetites of the Italophile imperial family and in particular, Leopold I (the so-called “Musikkaiser”), the court was fed a daily diet rich in vocal and instrumental music for stage and church. Given its vast geographic spread, the Austrian empire encompassed many cultures, elements of which enrich the music of this time. This, as well as the wave of Italian composers imported to service the imperial court, create a multi-faceted musical legacy which is both spirited and fresh.

"...there's a real vibrancy and freshness to these performances that compels one to hit the 'repeat' button for virtually every track...Musique pour Mazarin! is an auspicious debut indeed." (Five Stars) GOLDBERG

"Campra, Charpentier, Couperin, Lully, Carissimi, Pasqualini and Rossi vie for supremacy in this confident and attractively programmed recording debut from Le Jardin Secret... The brief instrumental solos are delicious." INDEPENDENT

Le Jardin Secret
Elizabeth Dobbin – soprano
David Blunden – harpsichord
Sofie Vanden Eynde – theorbo & baroque guitar
Romina Lischka – viola da gamba
Marian Minnen – baroque cello & basse de violon

Le Jardin Secret
COR16074