Sacred Cantatas

On this CD:

1. Il pianto delle pie Donne, cantata for soloists, orchestra & continuo
Composed by Giovanni Battista Sammartini
Performed by Caterina Calvi, Giorgio Cappelli, Vito Martino, Capriccio Italiano Ensemble

2. Pianto di Maddalena al Seprolcro, cantata for soloists, orchestra & continuo
Composed by Giovanni Battista Sammartini
Performed by Caterina Calvi, Giorgio Cappelli, Vito Martino, Capriccio Italiano Ensemble

Tracks:

Was Frag' Ich Nach Der Welt, BuxWV 104
Jesu, Meine Freud Und Lust, BuxWV 59
Sicut Moses, BuxWV 97
Passacaglia, BuxWV 161
Wenn Ich, Herr Jesu, Habe Dich, BuxWV 107
In Te, Domine, Speravi, BuxWV 53
Jubilate Domino, BuxWV 64
Wie Schmeckt Es So Lieblich Und Wohl, BuxWV 108

Album Description

The works recorded here illustrate Buxtehude's masterful command of the huge variety of styles that characterized the sacred cantata in Germany during the seventeenth century. Each begins with an instrumental passage, and sung text is interspersed with instrumental responses, sometimes in strophic form. In the larger cantatas for all three voices, the music allows for the maximum of contrast, whereas the four solo cantatas give a more intimate expression of Buxtehude's craft. Into the latter category falls the extremely virtuosic Jubilate Domino, one of Buxtehude's best-known cantatas.

Customer Reviews:

Exquisite CD.......2006-04-28

The two previous reviewers did a wonderful job which I won't even attempt topping as it would be impossible. But I must say that I agreed completely that Matthew White is superb, particularly on this disk. He shines on "Jesu meine Freud und Lust", I play it over and over... its just a masterpiece and I never really remember what it means in English and it doesn't matter, I love it.

Excellent and promising recording.......2005-08-07

Just a short review from me.
This recording is superb and the singing is very fine, indeed. The countertenor, Matthew White, is new to me and he has a very powerful and rich voice. I look forward to hearing more from him in the future. The cantatas presented here features voices, strings and basso continuo. None of the larger scaled cantatas with clarini, timpani, cornetti, tromboni and fagotti by Buxtehude are featured. However, we have a very beautiful collection of cantatas for voice(s) and small string instrumental groups. The works are sublime.

Many may already know the Jubilate Domino, BuxWV 64 from other recordings. Matthew White's interpretation is a very contender.

The Aradia Ensemble goes from strength to strength - last year they gave us a fine rendition of Rameau's Castor et Pollux and more recently they have made one of the most delightful CDs of 2005 - the 8 Symphonies of William Boyce (also on NAXOS). This Buxtehude CD will reinforce their reputation as one of the Baroque music groups that is really making entertaining, expressive, stylish, colourful and wonderful recordings these days.

Impressive? You betcha!

Buxtehude Cantatas in Sparkling Performances.......2004-12-22

The Aradia Ensemble has become one of Canada's, and the world's, best baroque groups. They have now recorded more than a dozen CDs on the Naxos label. This is, as far as I know, their first go at the music of Dietrich Buxtehude (ca. 1637-1707) but one hopes it won't be their last. This CD contains six sacred cantatas, all for solo singers or small vocal ensembles accompanied by small instrumental group (including at times baroque violins, viola, cello, viola da gamba, violone, theorbo and positif organ) all led by Kevin Mallon. The styles vary according to the forces called for. All have instrumental introductions, the complexity of which is determined by the form of the subsequent text and its treatment for voices and instruments. Most familiar is 'Jubilate Domino' sung with laserlike intonation and sweet tone by countertenor Matthew White. This 9-minute hymn of praise begins with a long string/organ introduction that gives us materials that are then used in the florid sung line. The form is semi-strophic, with solo instrumental intermezzi between the verses. White's solo singing is also heard in 'Jesu, meine Freud und Lust,' and 'Wenn ich, Herr Jesu, habe dich' as well as in the three cantatas that call for the singing of all three soloists. He is clearly the star of this issue and one predicts a big career for him.

Katherine Hill, a clear-voiced soprano of the Emma Kirkby stripe, is heard in another solo cantata, 'Sicut Moses' ('As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up'). The three soloists (including bass Paul Grindlay) are heard together in three other cantatas, 'Was frag' ich nach der Welt, 'In te, Domine, speravi,' and the dramatic 9-minute 'Wie schmeckt es so lieblich und wohl' ('How lovely and good the saviour') with its introduction and instrumental ritornelli, passages for combined voices as well as those for each of the soloists. This is a virtuoso work, calling for exciting (and expertly done) fioriture from the singers and solo playing from the instrumentalists.

The CD also contains the familiar Passacaglia in D minor, BuxWV 161 (originally for organ) arranged by Mallon for strings. I prefer it on the organ, but it is nonetheless an effective transcription. (It might be added that pitch on this CD seems to be pretty close to modern concert A=440, not radically lowered as it so often is in baroque recordings.) Sound is clean and lifelike.

Scott Morrison

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Apocryphal Bach Cantatas, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Cpo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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The Apocryphal Bach Cantatas, Vol 1 (BWV 217-222) /Alsfelder Vokalensemble * Steintor Barock Bremen * Helbich
J.S. Bach: Apocryphal Masses & Magnificat
The Apocryphal Bach Motets, BWV Anh. 159-165
Bach: Apocryphal St. Luke Passion BWV.246, Anh.II,30
Johann Pachelbel: Easter Cantatas

ASIN: B00029CXCC
Release Date: 2004-07-20

Tracks:

Concerto
Chorus Uns Ist Ein Kind Geboren
Aris Dein Geburtstag Ist Erschienen
Chorus Ich Will Den Namen Gottes Loben
Aria Jesu, Dir Sei Dank Gesungen
Recitative Immanuel
Aria Jesu, Dir Sei Preis Gesungen
Chorus Alleluja
Chorus Das Ist Je Gewisslich Wahr
Aria Jesus Ist Der Menschen Heil
Recitative Wir Mussen Recht Im Geiste
Aria Jesu, Trost Der Geistlich Armen
Aria Denn Du Wirst MEine Seele Nicht In Der Holle Lassen
Recitative Mein Jesus Ware Todt
Duet Weichet, Furcht und Schreken
Aria Entsetzet Euch Nicht
Aria Auf, Freue Dich, Seele
Trio Wo Bleibet Dein Rasen
Duet Ich Jauchze, Ich Lache
Sonata
Recitative/Aria/Chorus Drum Danket Dem Hochsten
Aria Ich Weiss, Dass Mein Erloser Lebt
Recitative Er Lebt Und Ist Von Todten Auferstanden
aria Gott Lob, Gott Lob
Recitative So Biet Ich Allen Teufeln Trutz
Aria Nun, Ich Halte Mich Bereit

The Apocryphal Bach Cantatas, Vol 1 (BWV 217-222) /Alsfelder Vokalensemble * Steintor Barock Bremen * Helbich

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Dr john grifiths.

The Apocryphal Bach Cantatas, Vol 1 (BWV 217-222) /Alsfelder Vokalensemble * Steintor Barock Bremen * Helbich
Steintor Barock Bremen
Manufacturer: CPO
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Apocryphal Bach Cantatas, Vol. 2
J.S. Bach: Apocryphal Masses & Magnificat
The Apocryphal Bach Motets, BWV Anh. 159-165
Bach: Apocryphal St. Luke Passion BWV.246, Anh.II,30
Johann Pachelbel: Easter Cantatas

ASIN: B000001RUS
Release Date: 1995-01-25

Tracks:

Be Mindful Of Our Condition Lord: 1. Choir
Be Mindful Of Our Condition Lord: 2. Reciative
Be Mindful Of Our Condition Lord: 3. Aria
Be Mindful Of Our Condition Lord: 4. Recitative
Be Mindful Of Our Condition Lord: 5. Chorale
May The Gad Of Hope Fill You: 1. Choir
May The Gad Of Hope Fill You: 2. Aria
May The God Of Hope Fill You: 3. Recitative
May The Gad Of Hope Fill You: 4. Aria
May The Gad Of Hope Fill You: 5. Chorale
Behold, The Lion Has Triumphed: 1. Choir
Behold, The Lion Has Triumphed: 2. Aria
Behold, The Lion Has Triumphed: 3. Recitative
Behold, The Lion Has Triumphed: 4. Aria
Behold, The Lion Has Triumphed: 5. Chorale

Tracks:

Praise Him With Heart And Voice (BWV 220): 1. Chorale
Praise Him With Heart And Voice (BWV 220): 2. Aria
Praise Him With Heart And Voice (BWV 220): 3, Recitative
Praise Him With Heart And Voice (BWV 220): 4. Aria
Praise Him With Heart And Voice (BWV 220): 5. Choir
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 1. Sinfonia
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 2. Recitative
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 3. Duet, Aria
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 4. Reciative
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 5. Aria
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 6. Recitative
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 7. Aria
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 8. Reciative
Who Seeks The Splendor, Who Desires The Radiance (BWV 221): 9. Duet, Aria
My Life's Breath In Failing (BWV 222): 1. Aria
My Life's Breath In Failing (BWV 222): 2. Aria
My Life's Breath In Failing (BWV 222): 3. Choir
My Life's Breath In Failing (BWV 222): 4. Chorale
My Life's Breath In Failing (BWV 222): 5. Aria
My Life's Breath In Failing (BWV 222): 6. Choir

Customer Reviews:

Dr john grifiths........2007-05-25

For a listener with an interest in German Baroque music and centering on the J.S.Bach period the 2 volumes are a wealth of information. The selections are very well choosen to make a representative span of both time and area.The disc is crisply recorded and the players are expertly directed ,responding with a virile performance giving zest to a possible mundane task.

Giovanni Battista Sammartini: Sacred Cantatas

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Giovanni Battista Sammartini: Sacred Cantatas

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Sammartini: Gerusalemme

ASIN: B000I2KJ74
Release Date: 2006-11-21

Tracks:

Introduction
Recitative I: Oh Wonders, Oh Amazement!
Aria: If A Divine Soul Conceals Himself
Recitative II: All Of This I Know Well
Aria: I Know That In Its Heart
Recitative III: If You Want Further Proof
Aria: He Who Has An Evil Mind
Recitative IV: Who Could Imagine
Finale: He Whose Heart Is Full Of Love
Introduction
Recitative I: However Much Compassion For Others' Misfortunes
Arie: More Than The Immense Pain
Recitative II: Oh, After The Long Years Of Toil
Aria: How True Was The Prediction
Recitative III: And Yet, Whose Spirit Would Have Been So Strong
Aria: Not Even An Ancient Oak Or An Alpine Peak
Recitative IV: Let Us Now Delay No More
Finale: Purest Of Mothers, Fount Of Love

Buxtehude: Sacred Cantatas, Vol 1 /Kirkby * Leblanc * Harvey * Purcell Quartet

Average customer rating:

A gorgeous and stylish performance

Buxtehude: Sacred Cantatas, Vol 1 /Kirkby * Leblanc * Harvey * Purcell Quartet
Purcell Quartet
Manufacturer: Chandos Chaconne
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Buxtehude: Sacred Cantatas, Vol 2 /Purcell Quartet
Buxtehude: Sacred Cantatas
Buxtehude: Geistliche Kantaten
Dietrich Buxtehude: 6 Cantatas
Johann Pachelbel: Easter Cantatas

ASIN: B000089HBW
Release Date: 2003-03-25

Tracks:

Sonata
Ich HAbe Lust Abzuacheiden
Spann Aus, Spann Aus, Ach Frommer Gott
Dann Was Ist Doch Die Schnode Welt
Wie Einer, Welcher Auf Dem Meer
So Spann Doch Aus, Ach Frommer Gott
Sonata
Salve, Jesu, Patris Gnate Unigenite
O Vis Amoris Tui, Jesu, Maxima!
Cur Fasciis Te Involvis Laceris, Jesule
Cur Alges, Qui Fulmina Fira Vibras
O Suavis, O Grandis Amor, O Fortis Amor
Jesu, Opstupesco, In Quem Amorem Tui Colliquesco
Jesu Dulcis Memoria
Nil Canitur Suavis
Jesu, Spes Peonitnentibus
Jesu, Dulcedo Cordium
Ned Lingua Valet Dicere
Jesu, Rex Admirabilis
Mane Nobiscum, Domine
Amor Jesu Dulcissmus
Jesu Dulcis Memoria
Sonata
Mein Herz Ist Bereit, Gott, DaB Ich Singe Und Lobe
Wache Auf, Meine Ehre, Wache Auf, Psalter Und Harfe
Herr, Ich Will Dir danken Unter Den Volkern
...Denn Deine Gute Ist So Weit De Himmel Ist
Erhebe Dich, Gott, Uber Den Himmel
Fuga, BuxWV 174 In C Major
Cantate Domino Canticum Novum
Cantate Domino, Et Benedicite Nomini Ejus
...In Omnibus Populis Mirabilia Ejus
...Quoniam Magnus Dominus Et Laudabilis Nimis
Gloria Patri Et Filio Et Spiritui Sancto
Sonata
Ich halte Es dafur
Was Qualet Mein Herz
Was Angstet Mein Herz
Ach War Ich Bei Dir
Du Gibest Mir Ruh
Drum LaB Ich Der Welt
Herr, Wenn Ich Nur Dich Hab, BuxWV 38
Sonata
Jesu, Meine Freude
Unter Deinem Schirmen
Trotz Dem Alten Drachen
Weg Mit Allen Schatzen
Gute Nacht, O Wesen
Weicht, Ihr Trauergeister

Customer Reviews:

A gorgeous and stylish performance.......2007-05-13

The interpretation in this recording is stunningly beautiful, stylish and elegant. An excellent collection of some of the most beautiful sacred cantatas of Buxtehude is presented, all performed superbly. The organ Fuga, although seems to have no particular logic in the disc, is elegantly played, and serves as some sort of an interlude between the cantatas Mein Herz ist bereit and Cantata Domino. I have not checked the keys of each piece, but it seems that the cantatas were mostly performed in Chorton, as they would most likely have been done in Luebeck in Buxtehude's time. The performance of the Purcell Quartet alone deserves the purchase of the disc, not to mention the beautiful baroque voices of Suzie LeBlanc, Emma Kirkby, and Peter Harvey. The CD booklet has comprehensive information about Buxtehude and the works included, translations of cantatas in three languages, biographies and photos of the soloists and the Purcell Quartet. A HIGHLY RECOMMENDED recording.

Buxtehude: Sacred Cantatas, Vol 2 /Purcell Quartet

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A voice teacher early music fan

Buxtehude: Sacred Cantatas, Vol 2 /Purcell Quartet

Manufacturer: Chandos Chaconne
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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Buxtehude: Sacred Cantatas, Vol 1 /Kirkby * Leblanc * Harvey * Purcell Quartet
Buxtehude: Sacred Cantatas
Johann Pachelbel: Easter Cantatas
Dietrich Buxtehude: 6 Cantatas
Nikolaus Bruhns: Deutsche Kantaten

ASIN: B000AA4JA2
Release Date: 2005-09-20

Tracks:

Das Neugebor'ne Kindelein
Quemadmodum Desiderat Cervus
Nichts Soll Uns Scheiden Von Liebe Gottes
Wie Sollte Wohl Heissen Das Zeitliche Leiden
Auch Ist Kein Erschaffnes Vermogen Zu Nennen
Denn Gott Hat Die Liebe So Hoch Ja Getrieben
Sonata
Dixit Dominus Domino Meo
Juravit Dominus
Dominus A Dextris Tuis Confregit In Die Irae Suae Reges
... Conquassabit Capita In Terra Multorum
Gloria Patri Et Filio Et Spiritui Sancto
Sonata
An Filius Non Est Dei
Quin Immo Jesus Est Meus
Tu Nectar Es Verissimum
Longe Sapor Dulcissime
Amen
(Sonata)
Lobe Den Herrn, Meine Seele
Der Dir Alle Deine Sunde Vergibet
Der Deinen Mut Frohlich Macht
Alleluia
Jesu, Komm, Mein Trost Und Lachen
Sinfonia
Herr, Nun Lasst Du Deinen Diener Heiland Gesehen
...Denn Meine Augen Haben Deinen Heiland Gesehen
...Ein Licht Zu Erleuchten Die Heiden
Ciacona

Customer Reviews:

A voice teacher early music fan.......2005-12-21

Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) was one of the three major North German composers of his era. He was also one of the most prolific composers of his time, his scope including liturgical music, cantatas and oratorical works for services and concerts, solos arias and cantatas, organ preludes, fugues, toccatas, chorale variations and fantasias , and chamber music including nineteen keyboard suites. Moreover, judging from features common in both, Buxtehude's cantata 'Jesu, meine Freude' may well have served as Bach's model for his five-part motet on the same chorale (BWV227). Though it is arguable that Buxtehude was Bach's greatest precursor, it would be foolish to think of his vast output merely as a preparation for Bach. Buxtehude's music deserves to stand at the summit of his age in its own right.
Although Buxtehude was primarily an organist, he was required as part of his church jobs to not only direct the choir occasonally but also to write some choral selections. Most of these comprised small-scale pieces such as those recorded here. It is quite possible that these pieces may have been performed during services by a chamber ensemble located in the organ loft. The prefered musical genre for private devotion at these small-scale gatherings was the strophic aria for solo voice and continuo. I found them to be very attractive and certainly well sung by the soloists, all of whom are excellent singers and obviously very skilled in the Early Music area. And, of course, the Purcell Quartet is unmatched in their ability to weave in and out of the vocal line in an exemplary fashion! I especially liked the first cantata:"Das neugebor'ne Kindelein" (Newborn today this little child) which features all 4 soloists:Kirby(sop)-Chance(countertenor)-Daniels(tenor) and Harvey(bass). And also the final cantata"Jesu dulcis memoria" (the thought of Jesus, sweet and kind) which features Chance and Harvey. It's all great music and played marvelously!!!!

Telemann - Chamber Cantatas / Brandes · Lane · Musica Pacifica

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Telemann - Chamber Cantatas / Brandes · Lane · Musica Pacifica
Georg Philipp Telemann , Christine Brandes , Jennifer Lane , Musica Pacifica , Linsenberg , and Blumenstock
Manufacturer: Dorian Recordings
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005QD6J
Release Date: 2001-10-02

Tracks:

Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.6 in D: Pastorale: Moderato - Musica Pacifica
Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.6 in D: Corrente: Vivace - Musica Pacifica
Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.6 in D: Gavotta: Allegro - Musica Pacifica
Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.6 in D: Grave - Musica Pacifica
Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.6 in D: Vivace - Musica Pacifica
Cant No.4, In Gering - Und Rauhen Schalen: Aria: In Gering - Und Rauhen Schalen - Christine Brandes
Cant No.4, In Gering - Und Rauhen Schalen: Recitative: O Eitelkeit - Christine Brandes
Cant No.4, In Gering - Und Rauhen Schalen: Aria: Nicht Uns, Nein, Nein - Christine Brandes
Cant No.33: Ergeuss Dich Zur Salbung Der Schmachtenden Seele: Aria: Ergeuss Dich Zur Salbung - Jennifer Lane
Cant No.33: Ergeuss Dich Zur Salbung Der Schmachtenden Seele: Recitative: Samaria Empfing Den... - Jennifer Lane
Cant No.33: Ergeuss Dich Zur Salbung Der Schmachtenden Seele: Aria: Schwarzer Geist Der Dunkelheit - Jennifer Lane
Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.4 in E: Andante - Musica Pacifica
Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.4 in E: Allemanda: Allegro - Musica Pacifica
Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.4 in E: Largo - Musica Pacifica
Sonates Corellisantes: Son No.4 in E: Giga: Allegro - Musica Pacifica
Cant No.45 Durchsuche Dich, O Stolzer Geist: Aria: Durchsuche Dich, O Stolzer Geist - Christine Brandes
Cant No.45 Durchsuche Dich, O Stolzer Geist: Recitative: Ach, Welcher Sich - Christine Brandes
Cant No.45 Durchsuche Dich, O Stolzer Geist: Aria: Herr Der Gnade, Gott Des Lichts - Christine Brandes
Cant No.1 Halt Ein Mit Deinem Wetterstrahle: Aria: Halt Ein Mit Deinem Wetterstrahle - Jennifer Lane
Cant No.1 Halt Ein Mit Deinem Wetterstrahle: Recitative: Begluckte Stunden - Jennifer Lane
Cant No.1 Halt Ein Mit Deinem Wetterstrahle: Aria: Hemmet Die Bache - Jennifer Lane
Cant No.53 Erwag', O Mensch: Aria: Erwag', O Mensch - Christine Brandes
Cant No.53 Erwag', O Mensch: Recitative: Ja! Wer Die Sussigkeit - Christine Brandes
Cant No.53 Erwag', O Mensch: Aria: Ergetzende Ruhe Begnadigter Herzen - Christine Brandes

Average customer rating:

Gorgeous recording of an underrated composer

Bruhns: The Organ Works/Three Cantatas

Manufacturer: Temperaments
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Fugues | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00000C2BZ
Release Date: 1998-09-08

Tracks:

Praeludium En E flat Pedaliter. Sigre NBruhns
Hemmt Eure Tranenflut Madrigale A 9 - Salome Haller/Thierry Dagon/Koki Katano/Dirk Snellings
Praeludium Con Fuga Ex G flat Pedaliter
Praeludium En G Pedaliter. Sigre NBruhns
Der Herr Hat Seinen Stuhl Im Himmel Bereitet - Dirk Snellings, Basse
Praeludium Ex E. Com Pedahl Di NBruhns - Saint-Pierre-Des-Chartreux
Nun Komm Der Hiejden Heijland Von Nicol: Bruhns
Die Zeit Meines Abschieds Ist Vorhanden - Salome Haller, Sop/Thierry Dagon, Alt/Koki Katano, Ten/Dirk Snellings, Basse
Nun Kom Der Heyden Heyland Di Nocol Bruhns

Customer Reviews:

Gorgeous recording of an underrated composer.......2001-05-03

This recording was made in 1997, at the 300th anniversary of the death of Nicolaus Bruhns (1665-1697), and a fitting tribute it is. This is fantastic music (literally, Bruhns having composed organ music in what is called stylus phantasticus). Bruhns is a vastly underrated composer, one generation before J.S. Bach, whose musical output would probably have matched Bach's, had he lived more than thirty-one years. As it is, we have this magnificent recording, which offers a large portion of what little Bruhns did leave behind: three cantatas (out of the twelve that he wrote) and all five extant organ pieces. (The recording includes two versions of the chorale-prelude "Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland".) The recording includes two separate groups of musicians: Jan Willem Jansen playing the organ works on two different organs in Toulouse, France, and Le Parlement de Musique, under the direction of Martin Gester, playing (and singing) the three cantatas.

Tracks:

Deus In Adjutorium
Christ Lag In Todesbanden
Halleluja! Lobet Den Herrn
Christ Ist Erstanden
Jauchzet Dem Herrn
Magnificat In C Major

Customer Reviews:

Another milestone for Musica Fiata .......2004-07-29

It's about time an excellent album of Pachelbel cantatas appeared on the market! Both Johann Mattheson and J.S. Bach have sent us a very clear historical message about the mastery of this great Kappellmeister who held posts in Eisenach, Erfurt, Stuttgart, and Nuremburg. Listeners now have the luxury of basking in the sound of the musico-cultural inheritance of J. S. Bach. What a joy comfort to hear this music performed so well by Musica Fiata; Roland Wilson has thus produced another world-class installment of well-researched performance in late seventeenth-century concerted vocal music (listen also to Musica Fiata's wonderful recording of similar music by the Leipzig Kappellmeister Johann Schelle, also on the CPO label). Actually, I have never heard anything not worth hearing from this label. The same is true for Musica Fiata.

Of note on this recording is Musica Fiata's expert period band of instrumentalists who never fail to deliver the appropriate stylistic characteristics in this music, while taking daring risks, and displaying PERFECT intonation. Also, the singers (including some familiar names from past recordings on other Harmonia Mundi, Sony, and CPO projects) could not possibly sing this difficult and glorious repertoire any better than they do in this recording.

Note also that for the first time in their recordings, Wilson chooses to use the exotic sound of a double harp with bray pins to great effect in the continuo section. Also, the harp as used as a solo instrument in the section of the cantata "Halleluiah! Lobet dem Herrn" (a setting of Psalm 150) where the text reads "Lobet ihn mit Psalter und Harfen" ("praise him with psaltery and harp"). Other instruments mentioned in this psalm (drums, prass, flutes, cymbals) are all depicted creatively by the expert players of Musica Fiata. This sort of realization brings to mind other seventeenth-centruy settings of the same text, most notably Heinrich Schütz's setting from Psalmen Davids or 1619.

This ensemble has clearly mastered this genre of repertoire, and it is not likely that any other similar ensemble in Europe will be able to surpass this perfect balance between performing excellence and sound scholarship within the next several years.