The coronation of Leopold II in Prague in 1791 came at a difficult time for European monarchs, although Leopold himself enjoyed a reputation as an enlightened ruler. Two musical works were commissioned for the occasion: Mozart’s opera La clemenza di Tito and Koželuch’s cantata Heil dem Monarchen. The cantata, by turns celebratory, serene and darkly dramatic, was well received and enhanced Koželuch’s reputation in royal circles. It almost certainly played a part in his appointment in 1792 to the court of Leopold’s son and successor, the last Holy Roman Emperor Franz II.

1791 was a time of revolutionary turmoil in Europe, but Leopold Koželuch’s Coronation Cantata stands out as a beacon of optimism for the accession of the new Habsburg monarch, the enlightened and progressive Leopold II. Performed for the coronation on 6 September 1791, the work has lain archived and unheard until the concert on 31 January 2017, the very special live atmosphere of which is captured in this world premiere recording.

Long overshadowed by his contemporary Mozart, Leopold Koželuch’s profile has been heightened in recent years through a complete edition of his keyboard sonatas on the Grand Piano label played by Kemp English.

Soloists at this performance include the soprano Kristýna Vylíčilová, laureate of numerous competitions and regular performer on Czech and Slovak opera stages, and star opera tenors Tomáš Kořínek and Josef Moravec.

Conductor Marek Štilec is one of the most notable members of the young generation of Czech conductors. His acclaimed performances and recordings of his national repertoire include the Naxos release of Zdenĕk Fibich’s First Symphony (8572985), made a MusicWeb International ‘Recording of the Year’ in 2013, and summed up as “definitely worth following” by ClassicsToday.com.