This album follows the acclaimed release of the Ascension Oratorio. It features soloists Hannah Morrison (soprano), Meg Bragle (mezzo), Nicholas Mulroy (tenor), Peter Harvey (bass). The Easter Oratorio, one of the less performed of Bach’s choral works, was first composed as a simple cantata and later revised to become a more polished piece with a meditative emphasis.

Actus tragicus, composed for a funeral, has an unusually soft toned instrumentation (recorders, viola da gamba and organ) which make it sound both consoling and full of optimism.

The album is packaged in our usual casebook packaging and contains a 28 pages booklet with notes by John Eliot Gardiner and texts in German, English and French.

In March 2014, the Monteverdi Choir will be celebrating its 50th Anniversary.