Sacred Works

Following the recent CPO releases of Johann Wilhelm Hertels opulent Christmas oratorio and passion cantata Der sterbende Heiland, the label now presents several other highly imaginative sacred works by this composer, most of them written for religious services at the Mecklenburg-Schwerin court. Along with the sinfonia from a cantata for the birthday celebration of the then Duke Friedrich, the program includes two motets, a peace composition, and two cantatas. All the choral works are closely associated with chorales and their special execution during the 18th c.