Notes and Editorial Reviews
This series from The King's Consort introduces us to innumerable musical riches from the time of J.S. Bach, starting with six works by Johann Kuhnau. Kuhnau was Bach's immediate predecessor at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, and his name and music can rightly be said to be have slipped into relative obscurity only as a result of his successor's inordinate fame.
As it turns out we find music which is immediately impressive. The five German-texted works are direct precursors of Bach's Leipzig cantatas; Kuhnau is a master of the formal structures required in the medium, and employs varied orchestral colours and choral/solo textures to great effect. Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern includes some of the earliest orchestral
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writing for horn, while Ihr Himmel jubilirt is a triumphal Ascensiontide cantata replete with trumpets and timpani. Weicht ihr Sorgen is a solo cantata, here gloriously sung by Deborah York.
Tristis est anima mea is in a somewhat different vein; this Latin text receives ravishing treatment from Kuhnau as a single-movement motet for five-part choir and organ.
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Works on This Recording
1.
Tristis est anima mea by Johann Kuhnau
Conductor:
Robert King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
King's Consort
Period: 17th Century
Written: Germany
Language: Latin
2.
Ihr Himmel jubilirt von oben by Johann Kuhnau
Performer:
Marianne Hellgren Staykov (Soprano),
Deborah York (Soprano),
James Bowman (Countertenor),
James Gilchrist (Tenor),
Peter Harvey (Bass)
Conductor:
Robert King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
King's Consort
Period: Baroque
Written: 1717; Germany
Language: German
3.
Weicht ihr Sorgen aus dem Hertzen by Johann Kuhnau
Performer:
Deborah York (Soprano)
Conductor:
Robert King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
King's Consort
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
Language: German
4.
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern by Johann Kuhnau
Performer:
Deborah York (Soprano),
Charles Daniels (Tenor)
Conductor:
Robert King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
King's Consort
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
Language: German
5.
Gott sei mir gnädig by Johann Kuhnau
Performer:
Deborah York (Soprano)
Conductor:
Robert King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
King's Consort
Period: Baroque
Written: 1705; Germany
Language: German
6.
O heilige Zeit by Johann Kuhnau
Performer:
Robin Blaze (Countertenor),
Deborah York (Soprano),
Peter Harvey (Bass)
Conductor:
Robert King
Orchestra/Ensemble:
King's Consort
Period: Baroque
Written: Germany
Language: German
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: 
( 1 Customer Review )
Just Joy and Absolute Ecstasy September 4, 2012
By Clifford H C. (Thompson, MB) See All My Reviews
"Kuhnau: Sacred Music
King's Consort
What is there to say about Johann Kuhnau 1660-1722... Bloody Marvelous! Remarkable! Transformative! These pieces of music bring Kuhnau’s reputation into a whole new light. This music from the man who was considered old fashioned. His music shows remarkable talent for melody and lyricism. From the first note you can hear the birthplace of Bach’s and Handel’s art. Kuhnau has an amazing ability to bring drama into the music.
But what is absolutely the most remarkable aspect of his music is the Joy... heightened to the point of absolute ecstasy. Pieces like “Ihr Himmel jubilirt von oben” and “O heilige Zeit” just bubble over in this Lutheran Religious fervour that no person from this century can ever understand. This “Joy” just sweeps you away!
Robert King and his King's Consort do a remarkable job of bringing this music to life. The choral sections just fly off of the pages. Could Kuhnau ever write music for the chorus!!
"
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