Vienna was an important musical centre during the Baroque period. Italian composers held most of the important musical positions of the time, in the Imperial Chapel and in many churches. The nearby state of Bohemia also provided the city with several composers, one of these being Frantisek Ignac Tuma, who himself had been greatly influenced by the Italian style. The motets for countertenor recorded here are a fine selection from the repertoire and are also provided with a varied instrumental accompaniment. The English counter-tenor, James (Thomas) Bowman, has been one of the world's leading counter-tenors for nearly 30 years; his career spans opera, oratorio, contemporary music and solo recitals. James Bowman's concert career is equally wide-ranging; in Europe he is well known as a recitalist, and has a large following. In 1992 the French government honoured him with admission to 'L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres' and he was awarded the Medal of Honour of the city of Paris in recognition of long-standing contribution to the musical life of the city. He was appointed a CBE in the 1997 Queen's Birthday Honours.
