Georg / Theile, Johann Von Bertouch: Ostsee – Trondheim Barokk / Dalheim

Choir & Organ (Jan, 2015)
Two fascinating discs of Lutheran baroque material from Northern Europe impress in different ways. Ostsee, from the superb Trondheim Barokk, explores composers associated with the Baltic in its heyday as the ‘Mediterranean of the North’. If Bertouch, Theile and Vierdanck are new names to you, this clutch of solo cantatas could hardly be a better way to get acquainted. Sparing, plangently piquant scorings for strings and continuo delicately tickle the ear, supported by a gorgeously toned chamber organ, and three outstanding, expressive voices, sounding luminously immediate in a recording of winsome warmth and breadth. Buxtehude, J.C. Bach, Schmelzer, Kuhnau and Bruhns may be less obscure but the captivating works in The …