Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Christoph Graupner (1683-1760) is probably best known for being the preferred candidate for the position of Thomascantor in Leipzig ahead of J S Bach but who had to decline when his employer, the Landgrave of Hessen-Darmstadt, refused to release him from his contract. Musically speaking Graupner has forever remained in Bach's shadow - and is in good company as, in this reviewer's opinion, that is where most composers remain. So Graupner is a contemporary of Bach ploughing a similar furrow within the musical establishment of the Lutheran church. So far, so obscure. This CD was heading towards the coveted nomination of Best Classical Recital by a Bass in 2013 (admittedly from a short shortlist) when my patience started to wear thin. The soloist, Klaus Mertens, has a glorious voice and I was very much enjoying hearing it but after the impressive opening Cantata "Fahre Auf In Die Hohe, Und Werflet Eure Netze Aus" ("Ascend To The Heights And Cast Out Your Nets") we had a 20-minute instrumental "Suite In B-Dur". The Accademia Daniel play very well but if I want Baroque instrumental music there are much more interesting examples of it to be found elsewhere. By the time Herr Mertens returned to the microphone for "Jesu Edler Hoher Priester" ("Jesus Noble High Priest") he had lost my attention which he only managed to regain for the closing "Wie Wunderbar Ist Gottes Gut" ("How Wonderful Is The Goodness Of God"). So, for my taste, we have two interesting cantatas, one I could take or leave, and a rather dull instrumental suite. Listeners with a particular interest in the lesser known contemporaries of Bach may wish to make Graupner's better acquaintance and those who have a passion for bass singing will have to go a long way to find a better exponent than Klaus Mertens, so a qualified and cautious recommendation.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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