Hyperion Helios CDH 55106
UK, 1991

Notes: An interpretative pinnacle of one of Zelenka's most deeply moving works, still unsurpassed after nearly 30 years, despite several fine attempts. Zelenka's Lamentations capture the Hebrew prophet's dark, apocalyptic voice like no other composer – in 3 different “timbres”: bass, tenor and alto. A perfect introduction to Zelenka's middle (mature) period.

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Passacaille 9528
Belgium, 2000

Notes: The works on this CD are a selection of some of Zelenka's outstanding middle- and (early) late-period vocal music, including the relatively well-known Miserere ZWV 57 from 1738, of which Wolfgang Reich writes that today's listener will be emotionally shaken when first listening to this work and the unexpected entry of the last movement will certainly provide a shock. Similar words could be said of the other two works on this CD. Superb interpretations.

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Hyperion Helios CDH55424
UK, 2012
Digital recording from 2002, originally released on Hyperion CDA67350 (2003).

Notes: This CD includes one of Zelenka's late litanies (ZWV 147), two motets (Regina Coeli ZWV 134, Salve Regina ZWV 135), as well as three lessons and the invitatory from the 1733 requiem (ZWV 47) – a broad selection ranging in mood from the joyful and exuberant to the solemn and austere, all exquisitely performed.

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Nibiru 01612231
Czech Republic, 2015

Notes: This is the first volume of Zelenka's psalm cycles performed by Ensemble Inégal and soloists, and includes a number of world premiere recordings (as does the rest of the series) of these sophisticated motet-like works. The performances on this CD by all musicians, soloists and instrumentalists alike, are all uniformly superb. The De profundis ZWV 97 motet overlaps with the Passacaille recording conducted by Paul Dombrecht (above) and receives a somewhat different though sensitive and equally beautiful interpretation.

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Nibiru 01642231
Czech Republic, 2017

Notes: This is the third volume of psalm settings performed by Ensemble Inégal and soloists. The CD contains some immensely beautiful works from Zelenka's pen: beginning with the brilliant choir-motet Da pacem Domine ZWV 167, then launching into a sequence of settings for one or more soloists that encompass a kaleidoscopic range moods and emotions, mostly ending in sophisticated fugal movements. On the whole, the performances are excellent.

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Nibiru 01652231
Czech Republic, 2018

Notes: This is the fourth and final volume of Zelenka's psalm settings (and several other motets outside the psalm sequences) performed by Ensemble Inégal and soloists. Two highlights include the poignant, deeply expressive Confitebor ZWV 73 for bass, and the highly virtuostic Laetatus sum ZWV 92 for soprano and alto – all performed with great dedication.

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Nibiru 0147-2211
Czech Republic, 2007

Notes: The Missa Purificationis ZWV 16 is Zelenka's last mass to use larger-scale instrumental forces; the litany ZWV 151 accompanying the mass belongs to Zelenka's late period, and is sparser in texture. On this recording both works sound smaller in scale (in a positive sense, and in comparison to some of Zelenka's festive masses), and contain many breathtakingly beautiful moments. The performances by Ensemble Inégal and soloists are superb.

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Thorofon CTH 2265
Germany, 1995

Notes: The Missa Sanctissimae Trinitatis ZWV 17 is the first of Zelenka's highly original Missa Ultimae (last masses, from Zelenka's late period), which are considered to be among Zelenka's greatest works and some of the peaks of Baroque sacred music more generally (see also the Works to Hear page and the General Reading and References page). The mass receives a truly superb performance on this CD with Wolfram Wehnert conducting.

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Thorofon CTH 2172
Germany, 1992

Notes: Missa Votiva ZWV 18 is the second of Zelenka's Missa Ultimae (see also the References page for reading material on this work), in another truly superb performance conducted by Wolfram Wehnert.

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Brilliant Classics 94691
2013
Digital recording from 1988, originally released on Capriccio 10 285 (1990) and later on Berlin Classics BC 1078-2 (1993).

Notes: The Missa Dei Patris ZWV 19 is Zelenka's longest work among the Missa Ultimae. The performance on this CD is conducted by Ludwig Guttler and captures the mass' seriousness, jubilation and ornate beauty like no other. The same recording has been released several times: this is the latest version on Brilliant Classics as part of a 2 CD set. Note that the mass is contained on the first CD of this set only – the second CD (with several orchestral Capricci and two motets) does not reach the same heights of inspiration and interpretative excellence.

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Deutsche Harmonia Mundi/BMG Classics RD77922 (U.S. 7922-2-RC)
Germany, 1990
Also available as part of Sony Classical Cat. No. 88985439412 (released 2017).

Notes: Frieder Bernius' first recording of Zelenka, the CD couples the exuberant Missa Dei Filii ZWV 20 – with its dynamic, highly complex Gloria movement – together with a smaller-scale, contemplative litany from Zelenka's last period. Both are essential works in a superb performance. The CD has been released several times over the years by DHM, and is included as part of a low-priced 15-CD Sony box set released in 2017 (Frieder Bernius: The Complete Sony Classical Recordings, Cat. No. 88985439412).

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Sony Classics SK 60592
Germany, 1998
Also available as part of Sony Classical Cat. No. 88985439412 (released 2017).

Notes: This CD contains the last of Zelenka's towering masses, the Missa Omnium Sanctorum ZWV 21, as interpreted by Frieder Bernius. The CD is no longer available, but is included in a low-priced 15-CD Sony box set released in 2017 (Frieder Bernius: The Complete Sony Classical Recordings, Cat. No. 88985439412).

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Carus 83.148
Germany, 2000

Notes: Zelenka's late Te Deum setting is a large-scale work of glorious light and colour, and receives a superb performance here, conducted by Hans-Christoph Rademann. The accompanying mass by Zelenka's Dresden colleague Johann David Heinichen also deserves to be heard, even if it is not the result of the same whirlwind of inspiration as Zelenka's musical masterpiece.

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Nibiru 0146-2211
Czech Republic, 2011
Originally released in 2005 (white coloured cover).

Notes: Il Serpente del Bronzo is the first of several oratorios which Zelenka wrote in the 1730's, and consists of a number of virtuostic arias of genuine spiritual depth, dramatising the story of Moses and the bronze serpent from the Biblical Book of Kings. The work received its world premiere recording on this CD. The performance from all the soloists, accompanied by Ensemble Inégal, is superb.

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Nibiru 01512232
Czech Republic, 2009

Notes: Il Diamante is Zelenka's only Serenata – an opera-like form that, among others, Vivaldi also used to great effect, e.g. La Senna Festeggiante, RV 693 – scored for several high voices. Like so many of Zelenka's works, Il Diamante was re-discovered and subsequently received its world premiere recording on this CD. While Zelenka's serious Baroque style is not entirely compatible with the frivolous nature of the underlying text, the performance, conducted by Adam Viktora, is superb (notwithstanding occasionally hurried tempi) due above all to the outstanding contributions of the vocal soloists.

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ECM 462 542-2
Germany, 1999

Notes: Perhaps Zelenka's most famous and most performed works are the six trio sonatas for oboe and bassoon with basso continuo. Eccentric in the best sense of the word, the trio sonatas showcase Zelenka's contrapuntal skill and unique handling of instrumental textures. While most, if not all, interpretations of these works could be said to have their own individual merits, this 1999 ECM recording by Heinz Holliger and colleagues reaches unparalleled levels of virtuosity, clarity, dynamism and depth of sympathy for the music.

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Passacaille 9524
Belgium, 2000

Notes: This CD presents a selection of Zelenka's mature orchestral works (from the early 1720's) in excellent performances by Il Fundamento, conducted by Paul Dombrecht.

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Accent ACC 24259
Belgium, 2012

Notes: Zelenka's Responses are polyphonic, madrigalesque works in the late Renaissance spirit, complementing the solemn Lamentations ZWV 53 (see the Essential CDs above). The talented musicians under Vaclav Luks interepret these works superbly – with great sympathy, clarity and stylistic understanding. The 27 Responses, which generously span 2 CDs, are prefaced by a recording of the first Lamentation, which, unfortunately, does not reach the same sublime heights as other interpretations (again, see the Essential CDs above); however, it could be said to provide yet another (alternative) view of the work, for those willing to hear it. The Responses are interspersed with Gregorian chant, and are essential listening for anyone wishing to hear the more “Palestrina-like“ side of Zelenka.

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Pan Classics PC 10274
2012

Notes: A recital disc by British countertenor Alex Potter containing an eclectic selection of predominantly vocal works, from the motet Barbara, dira effera! (ZWV 164) – which shows Zelenka applying various operatic affeti with dazzling, though not entirely convincing, results – to more plaintive works, such as the Christe eleison ZWV 29 movement. All works are performed superbly.

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Nibiru 01632231
Czech Republic, 2016

Notes: This is the second volume of psalm settings performed by Ensemble Inégal and soloists, and includes the powerful and poignant Nisi Dominus ZWV 92, among other motet-like works in which Zelenka's genius is everywhere in evidence. The contributions from the musicians are generally very fine, excepting some occasional over-dramatisation and instability from the bass soloist.

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Nibiru 01582231
Czech Republic, 2013

Notes: Missa Paschalis is one of Zelenka's jubilant, festive masses, with noisome outbursts of brass instruments colouring several of the momevements. It is accompanied by the Litaniae Omnium Sanctorum ZWV 153, which, like all of Zelenka's late works, contains much depth and substance at the expense of external brilliance; it is particularly rewarding. The performance of both works is excellent.

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Genuin GEN 11213
Germany, 2011

Notes: Zelenka's Missa Nativitatis Domini ZWV 8 is another jubilant work, though in a somewhat more subtle way than the Missa Paschalis. The performance on this CD is on the whole excellent; however, the soprano and alto soloists, although by all means competent, are not quite as artistically pronounced as the other soloists, affecting the interpretations of the two psalms ZWV 68 and ZWV 108 (these works can also be heard on the Psalmi Vespertini I and III CDs).

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Supraphon SU 4111-2
Czech Republic, 2012

Notes: This CD presents an alternative interpretation of the Missa Nativitatis Domini (more expansive and less structurally focused), conducted by Marek Štryncl. The three acompanying motets on the disc are performed very well also, with the highlight being the motet sung in Czech, Chvalte Boha silneho (Praise God in His Sanctuary, ZWV 165), which receives an inspired and warm interpretation by bass soloist Tomáš Král.

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Accent ACC 24301
Belgium, 2016

Notes: A world-premiere recording of two of Zelenka's large-scale choral works dedicated directly and indirectly to the Catholic missionary Francis Xavier. The performances are superb; however, the dynamic range of the recording is uncomfortably wide, and quiet sections can be difficult to hear at the expense of louder sections.

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Nibiru 01532231
Czech Republic, 2011

Notes: Another one of Zelenka's large-scale choral works, the Missa Sancti Josephi ZWV 14 receives an excellent interpretation from Ensemble Inégal, notwithstanding some very brisk tempi, which, in this case, help to lighten the textures and provide stronger forward momentum.

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Carus CAR 83279
Germany, 2018

Notes: Another excellent interpretation of the Missa Sancti Josephi, conducted by Frieder Bernius. In contrast to the recording above, the interetative approach on this recording places greater emphasis on the shaping of individual sections of each movement, which creates a more expansive aural effect but tends to lose the overall musical argument of the work. The two motets receive solid performances – especially In exitu Israel ZWV 84 (the De Profundis ZWV 50/97 is more detached emotionally).

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Carus 83.223
Germany, 2010

Notes: An alternative interpretation of Zelenka's Missa Votiva, conducted by Frieder Bernius.

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Supraphon SU 4068-2
Czech Republic, 2011

Notes: Zelenka's Sepolcri are three early oratorio-like works (in fact, some of his earliest surviving works) which nevertheless contain some lovely music, performed superbly on this recording by Collegium Marianum and soloists, conducted by Jana Semerádová.

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Accent ACC 24306
Belgium, 2015

Notes: Zelenka never wrote any operas, however, he did write eight opera arias and a Serenata (see below). This CD presents the opera arias, composed in 1733. Although Zelenka may have been aiming to show his dramatic-operatic talent – perhaps as another side of his musical personality – the arias are better characterised as chamber cantatas, e.g. in the spirit of Giovanni Battista Bononcini's works in the same genre, and are intimiate masterpieces combining Zelenka's inimitable style with various Galante elements. The performances are superb.

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DG Archiv 4698422
Germany, 2002

Notes: This CD set includes Zelenka's orchestral works performed by Camerata Bern (1970's recordings), and the trio sonatas performed by Heinz Holliger and colleagues in an earlier interpretation from 1972. All the performances are excellent overall, although the trio sonatas are performed even better in the later ECM recording (see Essential CDs above), notwithstanding a certain forward balance of some instruments.

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