Credits:

Edzard Burchards

Description:

[Tracing the History of the Motet in Leipzig, the City of Music]Since the 17th century, Leipzig has been one of Europes leading cities of music. The ensemble Collegium Musicum, which held public concerts in coffeehouses, enriched the musical life of the city, while church music incorporating elements of Italian music resounded during services at St. Thomas Church and St. Nicholas Church. This CD features a collection of German-language motets selected from the church music composed by German composers and performed in Leipzig during the 17th and 18th centuries.Leipzigs church music cannot be discussed without mentioning Johann Sebastian Bach, who was appointed Thomaskantor there in 1723, and this CD features a selection of his rare works. The opening track, Rejoice, O Earth, in the Lord, is an eight-part motet considered a pastiche of works by Bach and Telemann. It begins with a brilliant o