Mozart's motet "Exsultate, jubilate" K. 165 is the most famous of Mozart's
early sacred works. Written in Milan in 1773 for the castrato Venanzio
Rauzzini, it is sung here by the soprano Arleen Auger, whose flawless
intonation and consummate musicality" (Süddeutsche Zeitung, Munich)
underscore the virtuosity of the solo part.
Though few people would spontaneously associate Leonard Bernstein with
18th-century sacred music, this production stunningly confirms the words of
a major Munich daily: "After a few bars, one is conquered by Bernstein's
mastery in creating atmosphere and communicating moods." This live concert
was filmed at the ornate Basilica of Waldsassen in Franconia (Germany), one
of the first architectural adaptations of the Italian Baroque style to
German taste. Significantly, this work also represents a melding of Italian
vocal writing and German contrapuntal art.