Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

We know little about the early years of Jan Zelenka. He was born in 1679 in Bohemia and later found employment as a double bass player. He also composed and was allowed to study with Johann Joseph Fux. Unfortunately for Zelenka his patron, August the Strong, died and his heir, Prince Friedrich August II, preferred the more modern Italian style, which left Zelenka on the sidelines. He died in 1745 an embittered, broken man. This recording gives us five representative sacred works by Zelenka from between 1727 and 1733. There are points where there is a resemblance to Bach and others that sound a little like Handel but Zelenka undoubtedly has a voice of his own and The King's Consort do him full justice. He is no Johann Sebastian but then who is? Those who enjoy Bach should like this collection too.

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