Telemann: Gelobet sei der Herr, TWV 1:602/1216 & Bequemliches Leben, gemächlicher Stand, TWV 1:123

Featuring

Michael Alexander Willens
Rahel Maas
Elena Harsányi
Elvira Bill
Mirko Ludwig
Klaus Mertens

Mauro Borgioni
André Morsch
Kölner Akademie
Georg Philipp Telemann

Did you know?

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Composer Biography

The librettos for Telemann's oratorio cycle were written by Albrecht Jacob Zell, a Hamburg-born poet and musician who dedicated his 1735 anthology to his mentor Barthold Heinrich Brockes.

Performer Biography

Michael Alexander Willens, the artistic director of the Kölner Akademie, trained at the Juilliard School and continued his conducting studies with Leonard Bernstein in Tanglewood.

Composition History

In the church year 1730/31, Telemann presented a special concept where full oratorios were to be performed during worship services in Hamburg.

Compositional Technique

Telemann's settings for these oratorios were opulent, utilizing well-equipped ensembles and sometimes requiring additional opera singers due to their rich instrumentation, including four horns and three flutes.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Telemann's oratorios for the 1730-31 church year were designed with a close relationship between music and text, emphasizing vivid imagery.

Historical Context

Oratorios were a well-established genre in Hamburg by the early 18th century, with Passion oratorios regularly performed, though typically only in the cathedral and on selected holidays.

Performer Biography

Klaus Mertens, a bass-baritone on this recording, is unique in having recorded all of Johann Sebastian Bach's vocal works for his voice type, as well as the complete works of Dieterich Buxtehude.