German Cantatas

'His like had never before been heard in this city for musical composition and the practice of the most diverse instruments…' Nikolaus Bruhns, to whom we owe the finest cantatas written before Bach, sadly had little opportunity to practise his art. He died prematurely at the age of 32.

"Junghanel's vocal soloists sing expressively and blend impeccably, while the ensemble playing is first class."
- The Observer (24 Mar 2002)

"The ensemble work among these finely blended voices is particularly outstanding, the gently dissonant harmonies of a passage such as the opening of Ich liege und schlafe revealed in all its affecting poignancy. The instrumental playing is excellent throughout, fully worthy of Bruhn's inventive and often beautiful writing, praise that can be extended to include engineering that is well up to Harmonia Mundi's high standards. Indeed, the disc as a whole has provided me not only with great pleasure, but also nourishment and sustenance for the soul. Bruhns was clearly an outstandingly gifted composer, and one can only hope that Cantus Cölln will undertake the remaining cantatas."
- Fanfare ( Nov 2002)