Johann Kuhnau: Sacred Music (Hyperion Audio CD)  

Johann Kuhnau was one of life’s polymaths—as well as being a composer he trained as a lawyer, spoke several languages, helped found Leipzig’s opera house, theorized about music and even found time to write a novel sending up the shortcomings of the contemporary music scene. Musically he’s the link between Schütz and Bach, but he was alive to many different stylistic traits as this selection of sacred music demonstrates. From the brilliantly brassy opening of Ihr Himmel jubilirt to the restrained intensity of Tristis est anima mea, it’s music invigorated at every turn by The King’s Consort.

‘One of the joys of music is to discover wonderful and hitherto unknown repertoire, and this disc is a marvellous example of that. Trumpets and drums blaze away with tremendous jollity. This disc is a must’ (Cathedral Music)
‘This is an important recording of a woefully neglected figure whose music has real stature. Buy it!’ (Gramophone)
GRAMOPHONE CRITICS’ CHOICE