This is the eighth album in the first complete recording of the 72 cantatas in Georg Philipp Telemann’s collection Harmonischer Gottes-Dienst, published in Hamburg in 1726 – the first complete set of cantatas for the liturgical year to appear in print. The cantatas are designated for voice, an obbligato instrument (recorder, transverse flute, oboe or violin) and basso continuo, and generally take the form of two da capo arias with an intervening recitative. Although intended for worship, both public and private, Telemann’s cantatas are a masterly blend of tunefulness with skilled counterpoint and vocal and instrumental virtuosity. Norwegian violinist Bjarte Eike (and his Barokksolistene) scored a massive hit with their Alehouse Sessions (for Rubicon Classics), hailed by The Times as ‘irresistible’ and ‘fabulously unrestrained’ by The Guardian.

‘It’s pleasure, pure unindebted pleasure, that this glorious music will provide. Shot through with tunefulness, each cantata also shines with adventurous and effective harmonies, with fetching counterpoint, and with attractive instrumental virtuosity.’ – MusicWeb International