Telemann composed the Harmonischer Gottesdienst as a set of 72 cantatas that covered all Sundays and feast days of the church year. A shrewd marketer of his own music, the composer arranged for advance subscriptions whereby interested musicians could obtain copies at favorable prices–a nifty pre-order scheme that anticipated similar offerings on the Internet by 275 years! These were not large pieces; they usually consisted of just two dacapo arias linked by a recitative, with the whole work lasting around eight to 10 minutes. They were scored for solo voice, an obbligato instrument, and basso continuo, a combination that would allow even a small parish purchaser to be able to perform them. Ever practical, Telemann even specified that if the obbligato instrument was a wind and unavailable, its part could be played on the violin! Since they could be performed either by professional or amateur players, the pieces were incredibly popular and much performed in the composer’s lifetime. The cantatas on this CD are devoted to Easter and Pentecost celebrations, and are often charming mini-dramas that carefully depict the texts, most of which were written by Matthäus Arnold Wilkens. They are performed with simplicity and sincerity, and are recorded in intimate, well-focused sound. Of the soloists, soprano Monika Frimmer makes the most solid impression. The competently handled obbligato parts are joined by an expertly realized basso continuo. Full texts are included in the CD booklet.
