TELEMANN
Der Tod Jesu
Dorothee Mields Britta
Schwarz Klaus Mertens Jan Kobow
Magedburg Chamber Choir/Telemann Chamber Orchestra Michaelstein/Ludger
Remy
CPO 999 720-2[76.12]
Crotchet
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This most famously prolific composer has over twenty surviving liturgical
Passions, which set the biblical text, and in his later years he also wrote
'poetic passion oratorios' for the concert hall. This one's libretto is by
Karl Ramler, remembered only for his texts for musical settings. It deals
with 'the representation, blended with moving emotions, of Jesus the man
as the highest model of the virtuous life', corresponding to mid 18. C religious
understanding in German middle-class and intellectual circles.
It may surprise listeners who are more familiar with Telemann's voluminous
instrumental music. The text is vivid and refreshingly unfamiliar. The
recitatives are dramatic and expressive and the sequence of reflective arias
is accompanied by a variety of obligatto instruments, which maintains interest
and pleasure. It is performed stylishly and informed by thorough research
- the period instrument orchestra is based at the Michaelstein Monastery
Institute for Performance and was renamed to reflect a special interest in
Telemann, its director since 1995 the harpsichordist Ludger Remy.
By its sensible use of thin paper, CPO is able to fit in a 48 page booklet,
which has a lengthy history of Ramler's work and the genesis of Der
Tod Jesu and its early performance history and, of course, the complete
text with English translation. Well recorded at a church in Ditfurt with
suitable acoustics, this is a very satisfying production.
Reviewer
Peter Grahame Woolf
