Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Johann Pachelbel (1653-1706) was an important German composer of Protestant church music although he brought to his art elements acquired from familiarity with Catholic forms of music in Vienna and Italy. He was employed as an organist at Erfurt, then at court in Stuttgart, as organist at Gotha, and finally from 1695 in his native city of Nuremberg, where he died in 1706. Today he is best known for one piece, his famous Canon in D, although those who dig a little deeper will find much more to enjoy and this re-release is an excellent place to start. Some may be familiar with his motets, but the great majority of his psalm concertos and cantatas for large vocal forces are today almost entirely unknown and yet these may be judged the most important works which Pachelbel wrote, for their influence can clearly be heard in the works of Handel and Bach. The highlight of this collection is the setting of the Psalm 150, "Lobet Den Herrn In Seinem Heiligtum" ("Praise Ye The Lord In His Sanctuary"). The psalm text mentions numerous instruments and is therefore ideal for setting to music. Unlike his colleagues, Johann Pachelbel scored his work for all those instruments mentioned in the text, resulting in a work for five vocalists, strings, oboes, bassoon, recorders, harp, five trumpets, kettle-drums, and basso continuo. He even altered the psalm text slightly to justify including some of the instruments, making this a perfect example of Baroque musical splendour featuring lavish sound painting and elevating the genre of 'psalm concerto' to new heights. Arno Paduch's Johann Rosenmuller Ensemble seem to be enjoying themselves and give a sterling performance throughout, particularly on the concluding "Magnificat Anima Mea". Those who enjoy Baroque music will find this a most rewarding collection although please note that this was previously released in 2003.

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