Description

MAX MEILI (WINTERTHUR, SWITZERLAND, 11 DECEMBER, 1899 – ZÜRICH, SWITZERLAND, 17 MARCH, 1970)

His voice was trained by the renowned Felix von Kraus in Munich. He initially gained recognition as a concert and oratorio singer, specializing in early music and compositions from the Baroque era. His performances, celebrated for their refined interpretation, sensitive handling of text, and nuanced vocal beauty, earned acclaim in his native Switzerland as well as in Germany, Austria, France, and other countries.

In 1933, he co-founded the Schola Cantorum Basiliensis, contributing significantly to the study and performance of early music. Through extensive concert tours with the institution, he became highly regarded as an interpreter of Bach and Handel. In addition to his performance career, he was an influential educator in the field of early music.

In 1955, he founded the Collegium Cantorum Turicense, which under his direction gained international recognition for promoting the works of Monteverdi and Heinrich Schütz. He was a specialist in medieval vocal music, including pieces from the Ars Nova and the repertoire of the troubadours, trouvères, and minstrels.

Although primarily a concert artist, he occasionally performed as an opera singer. Notably, he appeared as a concert singer at the Salzburg Festival in 1936 and 1937, made guest appearances in Berlin from 1932 to 1937, and performed at the Opernhaus Zürich in 1947. On May 17, 1931, he participated in the world premiere of Alois Hába’s opera Die Mutter at the Gärtnerplatztheater in Munich.

TRACKLIST

1. Alfonso Mudarra 1. Triste estaba el rey David; 2. De la sangre de fus (Mus. de la Renaissance) (16th Century) Victor 11-0010-A 11-0010A 1E
2. Cantate no 189 Meine Seele rühmt und preist (Johann Sebastian Bach) Part 1 Lanthologie Sonore AS 54 23 A
3. Cantate no 189 Meine Seele rühmt und preist (Johann Sebastian Bach) Part 2 Lanthologie Sonore AS 55 23 B
4. Chansons franco-flamandes du 15e siècles a 4 voix Zwischen Berg (H. Isaac) a 3 voix pourrai-je avoir (G. Dufay) Lanthologie Sonore AS 4 3 B
5. Chansons franco-flamandes du 15e siècles a) le jour s’ndort (G. Dufay) b)  Ma maitresse (Siedersbeck) Lanthologie Sonore AS 6
6. Combatimento di Tancredi et Clorinda  1. Partie (Monteverdi) with Martha Angelici and Joseph Peyron Lanthologie Sonore 141 A AS 281-2
7. Combatimento di Tancredi et Clorinda 2. Partie (Claudio Monteverdi) Lanthologie Sonore 141 B
8. Combatimento di Tancredi et Clorinda (3. Partie) (Monteverdi) Lanthologie Sonore 142 A AS 283-1
9. Combatimento di Tancredi et Clorinda  (4. Partie) (Monteverdi) with Martha Angelici and Joseph Peyron Lanthologie Sonore 142 B AS 284-1
10. Combatimento di Tancredi et Clorinda  (5. Partie) (Monteverdi) with Martha Angelici Lanthologie Sonore 143 A AS 285-1
11. Combatimento di Tancredi et Clorinda  (6. Partie) (Monteverdi) with Martha Angelici Lanthologie Sonore 143 B AS 286-1
12. Enriquez de Valderrabano 1. Señora, si te olvidare; 2. Soneto al monte sale (1547); (Mus. de la Renaissance) Victor 11-0010-B 11-0010B 1E
13. Italian ballades of the 14th century  Ita se n’era (Vincenzo da Rimini) Io son un pellegrin (Giovanni da Cascia) Lanthologie Sonore 8 a AS 1
14. Italian religious songs of the 14th century  Gloria in cielo (unknown composer) O celestial lume (Bartolomeo Brolo)  Lanthologie Sonore 8 b AS 2
15. John Dowland Come, Deep Sleep Come Again (Mus. de la Renaissance) Victor 11-0012-A 11-0012A 1E
16. Luis Milan 1. Perdida tengo la color; Alfonso Mudarra 2. La mañana de San Juan (Mus. de la Renaissance) Victor 11-0011-B 11-0011B 1E
17. Luis Milan Durandarte (Fritz Wörsching) (Mus. de la Renaissance) (16th Century) Victor 11-0011-A 11-0011A 1E
18. Shakespeare – Adriano Willaert 1. Con lagrime e sospir (1536); Shakespeare – Thomas Morley 2. It was a lover (1600) Victor 11-0012-B 11-0012B 1E
19. Troubadours français & Minnesänger – French Troubadours and German Minnesänger (12th & 13th Centuries) (Siedersbeck) A l’entrant d’esté; Quand voi an la fin d’estey; Ja nuns hons pris  Lanthologie Sonore AS 18 AS 3
20. Troubadours français & Minnesänger – French Troubadours and German Minnesänger (12th & 13th Centuries) (Siedersbeck) Nu alerst le be ich mir werde; Ob aller mynne Lanthologie Sonore  AS 18 AS 41