Festal Sacred Music

Their influence on Bach and Handel notwithstanding, most of Johann Pachelbel's psalm concertos and cantatas for large vocal forces are today virtually unknown. Scored for all the instruments mentioned in the text (with slight alteration), his setting of the 150th psalm, "Lobet den Herrn in seinem Heiligtum", resulted in a work for 5 vocalists, strings, oboes, bassoon, recorders, harp (!), 5 trumpets (!), kettle-drums and basso continuo. This perfect example of Baroque musical splendor features lavish sound painting and elevated the genre of 'psalm concerto' to new heights.