Sacred Music

MAX RHEINISCHE KANTOREI DAS KLEINE KONZERT ZADORI NORIN DE MEY MERTENS

Johann Christoph Friedrich Bach was a child of his times, which were characterized by new beginnings and profound changes in the political and cultural arena as well as in the societal and philosophical spheres. The ''Miserere'' and the motet ''Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme'' exemplarily document these transformations. MDG is now presenting an archive production that has achieved historic status. Hermann Max, a pioneer in the field of historically informed performance practice, performs with the Rheinische Kantorei and his ''Das Kleine Konzert'' ensemble in a production for the Western German Radio. The ''Buckeburg Bach'' met the somewhat younger Johann Gottfried Herder at the Enlightenment court of the Prince of Schaumburg-Lippe. In their artistic friendship, one of rare intimacy, the two fourght for a clear relation between word and music. For Bach, who had grown up with the Baroque doctrine of the affections, music absolutely had to follow the text's lead. However, he did agree to milden somewhat the heavy content of the ''Miserer'' penitential psalm with elegant melodic leading and relaxed articulation. A lucky coincidence: the ''Miserere,'' long thought to be lost, resurfaced at a London auction in 1975.

Price: $22.99