When J.S. Bach became Thomaskantor in Leipzig in 1723, he had to contractually guarantee that his church music would not sound operatic.
Performer Biography
Zvi Emanuel-Marial's recording of Schubert's Winterreise was the first time this masterwork was recorded by a countertenor.
Historical Context
A custom in Leipzig during Bach's time was that high voice parts in church music could not be sung by women, based on the counsel of the Apostle Paul.
Performer Biography
Sebastian Breuninger, the solo violinist on this album, has been Concertmaster of the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra since 2001 and was a member of the Berlin Philharmonic at age 21.
Recording & Production
This album, titled 'Revelation', combines alto arias from Bach's major oratorios with the solo cantata for alto Geist und Seele wird verwirret BWV 35.
Performer Biography
Zvi Emanuel-Marial, the male alto on this album, began his musical training as a horn player before being motivated to train his voice by renowned singing teacher Marianne Fischer-Kupfer.
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