‘A central concern of the ensemble Der Musikalische Garten has always been to bring musical rarities to light and, in particular, to make previously unknown works accessible to a wide audience. With their new album Der letzte Mund voll Süße, the musicians are continuing this endeavour in an impressive way: the album features no fewer than four World Premier Recordings and provides fascinating insights into the expressive diversity of the 18th century.
The album opens with a previously undiscovered overture by Johann Gottlieb Graun, which can be heard here for the first time on disc. At the centre of the recording, however, are three secular cantatas by his brother Carl Heinrich Graun. While some cantatas are reminiscent of the high baroque operatic style of Vivaldi or Handel with their virtuosity and emotionally charged melodies, the cantata ‘Hat die Schönheit kein Erbarmen’ in presents itself as an intimate chamber music reflection on the suffering of love. Its melancholy mood is taken up in the following trio sonata and developed to a dramatic conclusion.
Soprano Isabel Schicketanz impresses in the vocal works with her tonal presence, technical brilliance and sensitive text organisation. Her interpretation lends depth and vibrancy to the emotionally charged cantatas.
Der Musikalische Garten supports this liveliness with its orchestral sound, which it achieves with enthusiasm and esprit despite its small instrumentation. In this way, the ensemble achieves a realisation that is both nuanced and energetic – an exciting rediscovery of two important 18th century composers that makes you sit up and take notice.