Bach Society: Graupner's 'Messiah

Programme

Christoph Graupner Jauchzet ihr Himmel, erfreue dich Erde
Christoph Graupner Air from the Overture for chalumeau and strings
Christoph Graupner Christus, der uns selig macht
Christoph Graupner Mein Gott, warum hast du mich verlassen
Jacob Handl (Gallus) Ecce quomodo moritur
Christoph Graupner Erschrocknes Zion, sei erfreut

"Die Geburt, Verhaftung, Kreuzigung und Auferstehung Jesu Christi. Christoph Graupner did not write that work, but the Nederlandse Bachvereniging does tell the "whole" story from birth to resurrection in four brilliant cantatas.

Graupner - almost Thomas cantor in Leipzig
Had it been up to the appointment committee in Leipzig, not J. S. Bach but Christoph Graupner would have been appointed Thomas Cantor in 1722 (Telemann had already declined the job by then). But Graupner's employer, the Landgrave of Hesse-Darmstadt, was all too aware of the unique talent roaming his court; he refused to give his consent to the transfer to Leipzig. Graupner did receive a pay raise and thus continued to work in Darmstadt, where today a seemingly inexhaustible treasure trove of his brilliant cantatas still awaits performance.

Dutch Bach Society brings 'fourth genius'
Shunske Sato of the Nederlandse Bachvereniging chose four cantatas to tell, as Handel did in his Messiah, the entire life story of Christ, from birth to resurrection. A unique opportunity to become acquainted with the fourth German Baroque genius, a composer who undoubtedly deserves a place alongside Bach, Handel and Telemann.