Hertel: Sacred Works

Mecklenburgisches Barockorchester, Moesus, Johannes, NDR Chor

CPO 777732

Following the recent releases of Johann Wilhelm Hertel's opulent Christmas oratorio (3506402) and passion cantata Der sterbende Heiland (3126740), we are now presenting several other highly imaginative sacred works by this composer, most of them written by him for the religious services at the Mecklenburg-Schwerin court. What might have more greatly stirred the hearts of his audiences than the universally known chorales? Accordingly, all the choral works on our CD are closely associated with chorales and their special execution during the eighteenth century. Along with the sinfonia from a cantata for the birthday celebration of the then Duke Friedrich, a work shining with festive music supplied by trumpets and timpani, the program includes two motets, a peace composition, and two cantatas. The two motets point to Hertel's musical home, for such chorale settings were very much the practice in the motet literature of Central Germany. The soprano soars over the narrating alto (Tenor), and bass part with a chorale. The cantatas are distinguished by most highly effective expression both in their instrumental passages and in Hertel's musical interpretations of the chorale verses.

CD x 1

CPO

8/14/14

761203773220

Fanfare: 'Want List' (2015)