Media vita : C minor - Op. 142

Chorissimo Blue : School Choir Book for Equal Voices - Media Set

Ein feste Burg. Vokal- und Instrumentalmusik : Speck

“... a really fine ensemble, and it’s well-led by Holger Speck, who keeps tempos flowing smoothly and articulation clear and crisp. All of the solo singers are expert, the choir is marvelous ... What else needs to be said, except ‘More Telemann!’” Classic Today [10/10]

Magnificat : The Groovy Version of OX

Christoph Schönherr, Professor at the Hamburg Conservatory of Music, is a respected expert in the field of jazz and pop choirs and he is a much sought after choral composer. He has written of his work: “I have been especially influenced by the polarity of the text. On one hand it expresses Mary's joy at her pregnancy, but on the other Mary presents a bold image of God: a God of almost old Testament sternness in his demand for justice on earth. My music depicts a strong woman, who rejoices in her happiness and also swings [many 6/8, 12/8 and swing passages], but on the other hand who in formulating her concept of God clearly stands up for the poor and needy. Here I use stylisticelements of rock and funk music.”

J. S. Bachs früheste Notenhandschriften

With world premiere recordings Until now, those who believed that everything has already been said with regard to Johann Sebastian Bach, are mistaken. This has been shown by the spectacular find made in the Library of the Duchess Anna Amalia in Weimar: Previously unknown autographs were discovered which can be proven to have been made by the young Bach. The autographs contain works by Johann Adam Reincken and Dieterich Buxtehude as well as two previously unknown works of Pachelbel which were copied by Bach's pupil in Weimar, Johann Martin Schubart. The Bach copies were dated around the time of 1700, so they predate the earliest documents in Bach's handwriting. Thus, we areafforded a glimpse into the musical development of the 13 15-year-old Bach. This discovery shows the extraordinary talents which enabled him to attempt such demanding works of leading organ composers at such an early age. On the present CD the internationally renowned organist and Bach expert, Jean-Claude Zehnder, presents tangible insight into the early repertoire of Bach, which was formative for his later development as a composer. Through its historical proximity, this recording on the Schnitger organ of the St. Jacobi Kirche in Hamburg from 1693 [reconstructed 1989-93] represents an impressive testimony of Bach's time.