Buxtehude: O fröhliche stunden

Album review

Listeners who think they know the music of the great German Baroque composer Dietrich Buxtehude because they know some of his more popular organ works should try this 2007 Alpha disc entitled O fröhliche Stunden. Performed by tenor Hans-Jörg Mammel with the La Fenice period-instrument chamber ensemble under the direction of Jean Tubéry, the program here features seven Geistliche Konzerte (church or sacred concertos) based for the most part on well-known Lutheran hymns interspersed with three appropriately chosen instrumental works. With graceful melodies, attractive harmonies, infectious rhythms, and delectable orchestrations, plus the kind of skillful word painting that can only be called genius, Buxtehude's sacred songs are just the thing for folks who know their Bach sacred cantatas and want to know what preceded them. Unlike so many singers specializing in early music, Mammel has a rich, strong, even assertive voice that brings out the humanity as well as the spirituality of these songs, and La Fenice is an able and agile ensemble that supports him with understanding and enthusiasm. Recorded in deep and detailed sound by Dagmar Munck-Sander, Alpha's production standards are first-class.

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