The third part of cpo's complete recording of Johann Kuhnau’s extant sacred works features the Magnificat. It forms his most extensive contribution to the field of church music and of all his works is the one inviting the most direct comparison with a central composition by Johann Sebastian Bach, his successor as St. Thomas music director. Like Bach, Kuhnau divides the Latin text into twelve contrasting sections consisting of choruses and arias. Both composers/music directors exploit almost all the instrumental resources available at the time, and both regarded a lavish Magnificat setting as an indispensable part of their respective repertoires; it may be said to have functioned as a musical credential certifying the excellence of their compositional oeuvre and their church music. The recording includes three other cantatas composed by Kuhnau for the days of Christmas. These works offer further outstanding examples of the musical splendour of which Kuhnau was capable of unfolding
Magnificat (Mit Weihnachtlichen Einlagesätzen) (25:04)
1 Coro: Magnificat Anima Mea 1:48
2 Sopran: Et Exsultavit Spiritus Meus
Soprano Vocals – Isabel Jantschek
2:29
3 Alt: Quia Respexit Humilitatem
Alto Vocals – David Erler
2:24
4 Coro: Vom Himmel Hoch 0:48
5 Coro: Quia Fecit Mihi Magna 1:21
6 Coro: Freut Euch Und Jubilieret 1:26
7 Tenor: Et Misericordia Eius
Tenor Vocals – Tobias Hunger
3:04
8 Coro & Sopran, Bass & Sopran, Alt: Fecit Potentiam
Soprano Vocals – Heidi Maria Taubert
Bass Vocals – Friedemann Klos
Alto Vocals – David Erler
2:31
9 Coro: Gloria In Exelsis Deo 0:58
10 Tenor: Suscepit Israel
Tenor Vocals – Tobias Hunger
2:12
11 Coro: Sicut Locutus Est 1:20
12 Coro: Virga Jesse 1:38
13 Bass: Gloria Patri
Bass Vocals – Friedemann Klos
1:27
14 Coro: Sicut Erat In Principio 1:38
O Heilige Zeit (Ersteinspielung / First Recording) (8:20)
15 Sonata 1:26
16 Sopran Recitativo: O Heilige Zeit
Soprano Vocals – Heidi Maria Taubert
1:04
17 Bass Aria: Wüte Nur
Bass Vocals – Friedemann Klos
2:43
18 Sopran Recitativo: Das Licht Ist Unter Uns Erschienen
Soprano Vocals – Heidi Maria Taubert
0:46
19 Sopran Aria: Leite Mich
Soprano Vocals – Heidi Maria Taubert
2:21
O Heilige Zeit (14:36)
20 Coro: O Heilige Zeit 2:56
21 Bass: Wüte Nur
Bass Vocals – Friedemann Klos
2:36
22 Alt: Ach, Denk Ich Zwar
Alto Vocals – David Erler
2:34
23 Sopran: Eigne Dir Mein Herze Zu
Soprano Vocals – Isabel Jantschek
2:17
24 Tenor, Bass & Coro: Was Ist Der Mensch
Tenor Vocals – Tobias Hunger
Bass Vocals – Friedemann Klos
1:37
25 Alt: Haltet Mich Nicht Länger Auf
Alto Vocals – David Erler
1:04
26 Bass & Coro: Ich Bin Entzückt
Bass Vocals – Friedemann Klos
1:32
Frohlocket, Ihr Völker, Und Jauchzet, Ihr Heiden (Ersteinspielung / First Recording) (26:01)
27 Coro: Frohlocket Ihr Völker 8:52
28 Tenor Recitativo: Halleluja
Tenor Vocals – Tobias Hunger
0:53
29 Tenor Aria: Kleines Kind Und Großer Held
Tenor Vocals – Tobias Hunger
6:21
30 Alt Recitativo: Wie Danken Wir Dir Doch
Alto Vocals – David Erler
0:48
31 Alt Aria: Willkommen Mein Leben
Alto Vocals – David Erler
7:19
32 Coro: O Freudenwort 1:48
