Even those who have heard of Nikolaus Bruhns normally associate him with organ music, but judging by this CD of six of his sacred cantatas, this died-too-young, 17th-century composer’s vocal music was at least as great. These are energetic, occasionally vocally athletic, harmonically inventive works in which solos alternate with duets, trios, and ensembles. The group of six singers and eight continuo players (with the addition of two high-flying trumpeters in Muß nicht der Mensch…) is superb, and they truly make this music come to life. Wohl dem, der den Herren fürchtet (“Blessed is every one that feareth the Lord”–Psalm 128), has a beautiful, ethereal section for solo soprano (gorgeously sung by Johanna Koslowsky) and a gentle, canon-like final section for two sopranos and bass.
The funeral cantata Ich liege und schlafe varies tender four-part harmonies, fugal sections, and solos–Bruhns keeps the vocal scoring diverse even within each work and this avoids monotony of any kind. Partum cor meum, for two tenors, is a delight; fans of Monteverdi’s melismatic tenor writing will have a good time. In all, this is a fascinating look into music just pre-J.S. Bach, performed with the usual care, beauty, and originality Cantus Cölln is famous for. The recording is rich and honest, and though recorded in a church it has none of the echo-ey ambiance that occasionally afflicts the sound from such settings. Highly recommended.
