Graupner's music is characterized by buoyancy, melodic grace, and brilliant, accessible melodies, and it lacks the contrapuntal complexity of other Baroque composers.
Composition History
The texts for Graupner's cantatas were primarily sourced from Georg Christian Lehms, the Darmstadt court poet, and his brother-in-law, the preacher Johann Konrad Lichtenberg, who penned over 1600 cantata texts.
Composer Biography
Christoph Graupner, the composer, was offered the prestigious Leipzig Thomaskirche cantor position before J.S. Bach, but his resignation from Darmstadt was denied.
Composition History
Graupner composed over 1,400 church cantatas, including 47 for solo bass voice, many of which were likely written for the bass Gottfried Grünewald, who worked with Graupner in Hamburg and Darmstadt.
Recording & Production
This album features three world premiere recordings of Christoph Graupner's cantatas: "Du edles Kleinod jener Höhen" (GWV 1164/20), "Halte an, am Glaubenstreit" (GWV 1121/22), and "Mein Herz soll nach des Höchsten Willen" (GWV 1113/13).
Compositional Technique
Graupner's music is described as unique and often eccentric, combining old and new styles with a definite influence of the galant style.
Composer Biography
Graupner, who composed vigorously throughout his career, eventually became blind in 1754 due to fading eyesight.
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