Here we get three powerful and expressive cantatas.

This is a Telemann you don’t hear that often—or, rather, who is mostly overlooked. This is Telemann at his best in the musical illustration of the text and its meaning, in sometimes passionate arias, sermon-like recitatives and in the effective use of instruments. Hermann Max was an early advocate of Telemann’s vocal music, and he shows here again his faculty for exploring the full dramatic power of his cantatas. The Easter cantata has the brilliance which reflects its character, whereas the message of the other two cantatas is incisively conveyed. The four soloists are simply outstanding; the recitatives—which are often the weak spot in performances of baroque cantatas—are perfectly executed as a speech on music. The orchestra delivers very colourful performances. © 2013 MusicWeb International Read complete review