Sacred Concertos

Johann Rosenmüller compiled an impressive oeuvre of more than two hundred vocal and instrumental works. On the occasion of this composer's four hundredth birthday, the Ensemble 1684 is presenting a CD with a cross section of his music including the world-premiere recordings of four of his large-dimensioned concertos. Rosenmüller's post as a teacher at the St. Thomas School introduced him to an exciting musical and academic environment that greatly stimulated him. Very early he displayed his talent for absorbing artistic and cultural influences. The St. Thomas cantor Tobias Michael and the Dresden court music director Heinrich Schütz were of particular significance here. The new Italian concerto models with which Schütz had become acquainted during his second stay in Venice were above all a source of inspiration for Rosenmüller, who very soon also began experimenting with them. A masterful compositional craftsman and contrapuntist of Schützian stamp!