Das Neugeborne Kindelein – Christmas Cantatas by Buxtehude, Telemann, J.s. Bach La Petite Bande Sigiswald

The 18th century was a time when deportment and noble behavior were essential for people of quality. Dance formed a major part of all social ceremonies and theatrical presentations. Nowhere was dancing more highly regarded than in France, where ballets de cour assumed great importance, and the Lullian tragedie en musique had its counterpart in the ballet en action of the opera-ballet. The Fantaisie (1729) and Plaisirs champetres (1734) of Jean-Fiery Rebel, reflecting the differing personalities of their prima ballerinas Camargo and Salle, have been called choreographic symphonies.

A hit in its first run in 1726, in London and elsewhere, Alessandro has had less success in our day. It is a demanding and lengthy work. The story moves quickly and is fairly silly, and meant to be. This Alexander conquers Ossidraca during the overture, but manages to bungle his subsequent amatory assaults, which constitute the rest of the opera. All manages to end well for him in the nick of time, however, as a good lieto fine requires. The performance takes just over three hours, though Bernd Feuchtner, the author of the notes, claims that London audiences in 1726 were in the theater for five.

'Herzens-Lieder' [Songs of the Heart] – this title would certainly have appealed to the two librettists and four composers featured upon this CD. In terms of music and church history, they all – Johann Kuhnau, Georg Philipp Telemann, Christoph Graupner and Johann Sebastian Bach – form part of the Lutheran church choir tradition.

Neuer Blickwinkel Sigiswald Kuijken präsentiert mit La Petite Bande erneut eine Einspielung, die dank fundierter Recherche einen neuen Blick auf scheinbar altbekannte Musik bietet: Er führt diese Werke nämlich in einer reinen Quartett-Besetzung (zwei Violinen, Viola und Kontrabass) auf. Für Kuijken vermittelt diese Ausführung viel eher die lebendige, direkte Essenz dieser Musik als ein Kammerorchester. Mit dem Menuett KV 601 Nr. 3 bietet er zudem einen adäquaten Ersatz für den früh verlorengegangenen zweiten Satz der Serenade. Obwohl fünfzehn Jahre früher entstanden ergänzen die Divertimenti KV 136-138 hinsichtlich Besetzung, Leichtigkeit und Eingängigkeit Mozarts Eine kleine Nachtmusik von 1787 wunderbar.

This is the best recording so far of Partenope. Krisztina Laki is splendid in the lead role as is Helga Muller-Molinari as Rosmira and John York Skinner as Armindo. Rene Jacobs in the counter-tenor role of Arsace does a fine job considering the date of this recording. The orchestra plays with great vitality. This is the recommended recording of this opera.

Neuer Blickwinkel Sigiswald Kuijken präsentiert mit La Petite Bande erneut eine Einspielung, die dank fundierter Recherche einen neuen Blick auf scheinbar altbekannte Musik bietet: Er führt diese Werke nämlich in einer reinen Quartett-Besetzung (zwei Violinen, Viola und Kontrabass) auf. Für Kuijken vermittelt diese Ausführung viel eher die lebendige, direkte Essenz dieser Musik als ein Kammerorchester. Mit dem Menuett KV 601 Nr. 3 bietet er zudem einen adäquaten Ersatz für den früh verlorengegangenen zweiten Satz der Serenade. Obwohl fünfzehn Jahre früher entstanden ergänzen die Divertimenti KV 136-138 hinsichtlich Besetzung, Leichtigkeit und Eingängigkeit Mozarts Eine kleine Nachtmusik von 1787 wunderbar.

For once, a recitative is the focus of a cantata. In BWV 47, the opening chorus, two arias, and the final chorale are grouped around the central statement "Mankind is dirt, stench, earth and ashes," which can hardly be surpassed in clarity. It takes a soloist with a powerful voice and experience of life to get the message across credibly!

The J.S. Bach Foundation has embarked on a remarkable undertaking: over a period of some 25 years, the Foundation will perform the complete vocal works by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Each month, one of the over 200 Bach cantatas is performed in the idyllic town of Trogen in Appenzell, Switzerland. With a rhythm of 12 cantatas per year, the project is estimated to conclude in the year 2030. All introductory workshops, concerts and reflection lectures on the cantata texts are recorded; the texts of the lectures are published in a continually expanding Bach Anthology. The main aim of the J.S. Bach Foundation's ambitious project is to provide a living Bach experience for today's listeners and to deepen our understanding of the great composer's works.

The J.S. Bach Foundation has embarked on a remarkable undertaking: over a period of some 25 years, the Foundation will perform the complete vocal works by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Each month, one of the over 200 Bach cantatas is performed in the idyllic town of Trogen in Appenzell, Switzerland. With a rhythm of 12 cantatas per year, the project is estimated to conclude in the year 2030. All introductory workshops, concerts and reflection lectures on the cantata texts are recorded; the texts of the lectures are published in a continually expanding Bach Anthology.