I first discovered the music of Christoph Graupner in 2009 in an article in Early Music America written for the upcoming 250th Anniversary of his death in 1760. As the Artistic Director of the Collegium Vocale of St. Louis, the only ensemble in St. Louis focused on historically informed performance of Baroque vocal chamber music, I am always on the lookout for interesting music for the group to perform. Initially, I was attracted by the fact that his sacred music was very well suited to the resources of our ensemble, that it was a largely untapped body of interesting work, and that it was readily accessible on the Internet. As a musicologist, I was very excited to work from original sources in preparing our performing editions. This is the fourth concert of Graupner cantatas presented by the Collegium Vocale under my direction since 2010. I find Graupner’s cantatas to be endlessly fascinating in their musical inventiveness, colorful orchestrations, and sensitivity to the text. Graupner, held in high regard in his own day, deserves to be much better known today. This is music that delights the intellect and sings to the soul.
Bruce Carvell
Artistic Director
Collegium Vocale of St. Louis
On Sunday, February 26, Collegium Vocale of Saint Louis will perform Four Sacred Cantatas by Christoph Graupner. The concert begins on 3:00 PM but Introductory lecture starts @ 2:30 PM.Do not miss this uplifting performance!
