Schelle: Sacred Music

"Robert King and his King's Consort continue their rewarding survey of sacred vocal music by Bach's north and central German contemporaries and predecessors. Lovers of this underexplored German repertoire will find little to disappoint them in a well-constructed programme of arias, motets and cantatas. Thanks, King and Co."
***** Five Stars BBC Music Magazine (Aug 2001)

'This important recording is fine proof of Schelle's imagination and invention … Robert King should be congratulated for an outstanding espousal of another of Bach's forebears' (Early Music Review)

'The choral blending is fresh, vital and alert, with particularly alluring contributions from the soprano voices. The big brass arsenal is arresting and provides an effective foil for the more contemplative pieces. Thanks, King and Co' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Charming music from one of Bach's 17th-century predecessors as Kantor of the Thomaskirche, Leipzig. Strongly recommended' (Gramophone)

'The King's Consort are on top form throughout. Highly recommended' (The Organ)

Continuing the series 'Bach's Contemporaries', this volume concentrates on the wonderful music of Johann Schelle - a cousin of Kuhnau (who you will remember was the composer for volume 1, CDA67059).
This immensely striking sacred music by Schelle (Bach's immediate predecessor in the post of Kantor in Leipzig's famous Thomas Church) brings together a top-flight group of soloists and a large and colourful assembly of instrumentalists. This third volume of Robert King's much-acclaimed series of music by Bach's contemporaries presents remarkable and splendidly varied music which not only stands up proudly in its own musical right, but also greatly enhances our understanding of Bach's own sacred writing.