Leipzig Church Music from the Sherard Collection

This edition contains eight sacred compositions by the Leipzig cantors who were the immediate predecessors of J. S. Bach: Sebastian Knüpfer (1633–76), Johann Schelle (1648–1701), and Johann Kuhnau (1660–1722). They are edited from manuscripts collected by James Sherard (1666–1738), an English apothecary and amateur musician. Five of the works are large-scale vocal concertos, inluding two highly expressive psalm settings by Sebastian Knüpfer; a Magnificat by Johann Schelle that anticipates aspects of J. S. Bach's Magnificat in D Major (BWV 243); and Schelle's Durch Adams Fall, one of the first Lutheran works to combine chorale melodies, Biblical recitation, and arias. The remaining three compositions are virtuosic concertos for solo voice, including Schelle's Ah! Quam multa sunt peccata for alto, and two major additions to the repertory for tenor: Kuhnau's Laudate pueri and Muss nicht der Mensch. The instrumental writing also includes many notable features, such as two early examples of trumpet solos, one piece with scordatura violins, and two with organ obbligatos.

1. De profundis, Sebastian Knüpfer

(CCATB solo, CATB ripieno, 4 violas [or 2 violins, 2 violas], fagotto, violone, organ)

 

2. Lauda Jerusalem, Knüpfer

(CATB, 2 violins, 3 violas, fagotto, violone, organ)

 

3. Salve solis orientis, Johann Schelle

(CCATTB, clarino piccolo, 2 cornettinos, 3 trombones, 2 violins, 2 violas, basso continuo)

 

4. Durch Adams Fall, Schelle

(CCATB, 2 cornettinos, 3 trombones, 2 violins, 2 violas, organ)

 

5. Magnificat, Schelle

(CCATB, 2 cornettinos, 3 trombones, 2 violins, 2 violas, organ)

 

6. Ah! quam multa sunt peccata, Schelle

(Alto, 2 violins, cembalo)

 

7. Laudate pueri, Johann Kuhnau

(Tenor, 2 violins [scordatura], trombone or viola da gamba [or violoncello], basso continuo)

 

8. Muss nicht der Mensch, Kuhnau

(Tenor, clarino, violin, fagotto, basso continuo)