Graupner: Bassoon Cantatas

Album Description

Christoph Graupner's 'Bassoon Cantatas' is a captivating album that showcases the composer's innovative and experimental approach to music. Released in July 2021 on the CPO label, this collection of 43 songs features prominent parts for the bassoon, highlighting the technical skills of virtuoso bassoonist Johann Christian Klotsch, who inspired Graupner to compose these remarkable cantatas.

The album, with a duration of 1 hour and 59 minutes, is a testament to Graupner's delight in working with talented musicians. The cantatas, including 'Hebet eure Augen auf gen Himmel' and 'Jauchzet, ihr Himmel, freue dich Erde', demonstrate the composer's love for innovative tone colours and his willingness to push the boundaries of musical expression.

Performed by Sergio Azzolini on bassoon, Kirchheimer BachConsort, and Florian Heyerick, this album is a must-listen for classical music enthusiasts. The musicians' skilled interpretations bring Graupner's compositions to life, offering a unique and enriching listening experience. With its intricate harmonies and soaring melodies, 'Bassoon Cantatas' is a true masterpiece of Baroque music, and a fitting tribute to the genius of Christoph Graupner.

16 jul 2021

(P) 2021 CPO

About Christoph Graupner

Christoph Graupner, born in 1683, was a prolific German composer and harpsichordist of the late Baroque era, standing shoulder to shoulder with contemporaries like Johann Sebastian Bach and Georg Philipp Telemann. Graupner's musical journey is marked by his impressive tenure as Kapellmeister at the court of Darmstadt, a position he held from 1711 until his death in 1760. His extensive body of work includes a staggering 1,442 cantatas, many of which are yet to be fully explored and appreciated. Despite his prolific output, Graupner remains one of the more overlooked figures of the Baroque period. His compositions, ranging from overture-suites to concertos and cantatas, showcase his mastery of the Baroque style and his ability to create deeply engaging and emotionally resonant music. Graupner's near-miss appointment as the cantor of St. Thomas' Church in Leipzig, a position that ultimately went to Bach, adds a layer of intrigue to his story, hinting at the competitive and dynamic musical landscape of the time.