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Telemann: Kapitansmusik 1738 / Max, Rheinische Kantorei
CPO

Telemann: Kapitansmusik 1738 / Max, Rheinische Kantorei

$36.99

Details

Composer
TELEMANN, GEORG PHILIPP
Artist
Winter, Samuelis, Kobow, Schroder, Abele, Finke, Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert, Max
Format
CD
Label
CPO
Released
Feb 22, 2011
Catalog #
777386-2
UPC
761203738625

About

Telemann impresses once again with this Kapitänsmusik - the characters are perfectly portrayed.

One of the many duties of Georg Philipp Telemann as Musikdirektor in Hamburg was the composition of the Kapitänsmusik. This was to be performed every year during the convivium, the festive banquet of the sixty-seven members of the officer corps of the civic guard. This event took place on the first Thursday after St Bartholomew's Day (24 August). The Kapitänsmusik consisted of two parts. It started with an oratorio which was performed during the midday meal; the serenata was played in the evening. Telemann composed 36 such works, of which only nine have survived.

In the (sacred) oratorio the many blessings of Hamburg are spelled out, mostly by a character called Hammonia (Hamburg). She calls on the citizens to praise God for his blessings. Here this is expressed, for instance, in a chorus of Hammonia with her children: "Holy being, you source of good, blessing and prosperity issue forth from you. You make sure that Hamburg's wall forever stand. Take from us the thanks for this." allegorical characters turn up which declare their bond with the city: Die Andacht (Devotion), Die Gerechtigkeit (Justice), Die Wahrheit (Truth) and Das Vertrauen (Trust). As in most such pieces there is an opposing character: Die Unachtsamkeit (Negligence). He acknowledges that there is much to enjoy in Hamburg, but for him the blessings are rather the earthly pleasures, like food and drink: "I look forward to the oyster season". He doesn't want to waste any time thinking about "the source of the blessing and its surplus". The other characters react with abhorrence, as Negligence "forgets that our God is the origin of good", as Devotion says. Hammonia then says he should "avoid my domain". The oratorio ends with the last stanza from the hymn 'Herr Gott, wir danken dir' (Johann Franck, 1618-1677).

The serenata is quite dramatic. This is to be expected because Telemann was a successful opera composer; from 1722 until its closure in 1738 he was the director of the Oper am Gänsemarkt. But this serenata is more dramatic than those in other Kapitänsmusiken in that its central subject is war. There was a historical reason for that. Hamburg was part of the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation, and its emperor, Charles VI, had been involved in a war against the Ottoman empire since 1737. Although Hamburg was not directly struck by the war, it was part of the empire and therefore involved in the conflict. The serenata begins with a 'Chorus of the Heroes' in the form of a battaglia: "The drum calls with rolling beats, the mortars roar, the swords flash - this brings joy to our brave hearts". The warriors are encouraged by Der Kriegsgeist (The Spirit of War), the Elbe asks the shepherds to end their joy and "lay down your gentle flutes". It is then Die Zaghaftigkeit (Timidity) who describes the horrors of the war: "My heart beats in my horrified breast to think of the ominous gloom of signs of misfortune. (...) O who, who will save us from ruin?" Then Der Friede (Peace) enters and declares that "I am the one who watches over you". This gives Timidity new strength.

In the last part of the serenata the enemy is specifically mentioned. The Spirit of War says: "The eagle leads the legions before Istanbul's now horrified gate. He displays in sharpened talons, the sword drawn for Turkish ruin". He is encouraged by the Elbe: "Go, let German courage accustom the wild Saracens even more to servitude". This is followed by an aria which has again the form of a battaglia. As in the oratorio there is an opposing character. This time it is Der Neid (Envy) which expresses his "pleasure in Germany's misfortune". "I even see now with happy eyes the whole burden and your demise coming". But then Der Schutzgeist Deutschlands (Germany's Guardian Spirit) turns up and declares: "Germany is loved by heaven itself. Up, heroes, up to the fight". The serenata ends with a chorus: "Germany's glory shall always stand, and your happy prosperity, Hamburg/Schwerin, is ordained by God".

Considering that Germany was no political unity, but a patchwork of largely independent territories the use of the term 'Germany' is remarkable. It was hardly used in those days, and in his liner-notes Eckart Kleßman sees it as an expression of the wish "to put an end to the notorious threat posed to the practically defenseless German states, to strengthen their self-confidence, and to reinforce this self-confidence with military security". Whatever the reason may be, this aspect and the pronounced treatment of the subject of war makes this Kapitänsmusik rather unique in this part of Telemann's oeuvre.

One of the dramatic features of the serenata is the representation of the characters. In particular The Spirit of War and Timidity are remarkable, as well as Envy. The characteristics of these protagonists are impressively explored by the singers. In the oratorio it is the role of Negligence which attracts attention. Here Immo Schröder shines in his humorous portrayal of this character. Veronika Winter gives an immaculate performance of the role of Hammonia. As Germany's Guardian Spirit she sings the last aria of this work, 'Ergreifet den Degen' (Grip the sword) which is quite virtuosic. But most arias are pitched at a considerable technical level, and Telemann again shows his creative spirit, not only in the vocal parts but also in the instrumental score.

This Kapitänsmusik was first performed in modern times in 1965 in the former GDR, but its text had to be changed in many respects, for political reasons. Therefore the live performance in 2007 in Knechtsteden which was recorded by the German classical channel WDR Cologne and released by CPO, is the work's first modern performance in its original state. Hermann Max and all other participants deserve our gratitude for bringing this very fine piece of music to our attention. I am looking forward to the Kapitänsmusiken which are still waiting to be recorded.

-- Johan van Veen, MusicWeb International

Tracklist 50 tracks

  1. Disc 1
  2. 1 Wohl dem Volke (Hammonia, Vertrauen, Gerechtigkeit, Chorus) 05:14
    Track
    1
    Title
    Wohl dem Volke (Hammonia, Vertrauen, Gerechtigkeit, Chorus)
    Duration
    05:14
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  3. 2 Recitative: Mit nimmersatter Lust und Achtsamkeit (Hammonia) 01:36
    Track
    2
    Title
    Recitative: Mit nimmersatter Lust und Achtsamkeit (Hammonia)
    Duration
    01:36
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  4. 3 Stimmt in unsre frohen Lieder (Chorus) 02:52
    Track
    3
    Title
    Stimmt in unsre frohen Lieder (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:52
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  5. 4 Recitative: Der reiche Segen lauft in meinen Hafen ein (Hammonia) 00:59
    Track
    4
    Title
    Recitative: Der reiche Segen lauft in meinen Hafen ein (Hammonia)
    Duration
    00:59
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  6. 5 Aria: Freue dich an diesem Tage (Hammonia) 05:58
    Track
    5
    Title
    Aria: Freue dich an diesem Tage (Hammonia)
    Duration
    05:58
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  7. 6 Recitative: Doch, da sich Gluck und Wohl … (Hammonia) 00:22
    Track
    6
    Title
    Recitative: Doch, da sich Gluck und Wohl … (Hammonia)
    Duration
    00:22
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  8. 7 Aria: Heiliges Wesen (Hammonia, Chorus) 03:05
    Track
    7
    Title
    Aria: Heiliges Wesen (Hammonia, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:05
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  9. 8 Recitative: Jawohl, Hammonia (Andacht) 01:24
    Track
    8
    Title
    Recitative: Jawohl, Hammonia (Andacht)
    Duration
    01:24
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  10. 9 Aria: Kann dies wohl ein Mensch erwagen (Andacht) 03:28
    Track
    9
    Title
    Aria: Kann dies wohl ein Mensch erwagen (Andacht)
    Duration
    03:28
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  11. 10 Recitative: Nein, Freundin, nein, nein (Hammonia) 00:23
    Track
    10
    Title
    Recitative: Nein, Freundin, nein, nein (Hammonia)
    Duration
    00:23
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  12. 11 Aria: Licht des Lebens (Hammonia) 05:57
    Track
    11
    Title
    Aria: Licht des Lebens (Hammonia)
    Duration
    05:57
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  13. 12 Recitative: Hammonia, so recht … (Andacht, Gerechtigkeit) 01:21
    Track
    12
    Title
    Recitative: Hammonia, so recht … (Andacht, Gerechtigkeit)
    Duration
    01:21
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  14. 13 Aria: Im Gertichte soll mein gottlich's Gewichte … (Gerechtigkeit) 04:30
    Track
    13
    Title
    Aria: Im Gertichte soll mein gottlich's Gewichte … (Gerechtigkeit)
    Duration
    04:30
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  15. 14 Recitative: O wahres Gluck fur mich (Wahrheit) 01:24
    Track
    14
    Title
    Recitative: O wahres Gluck fur mich (Wahrheit)
    Duration
    01:24
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  16. 15 Aria: Mein Blitz durchdringet Wahn und Lugen (Hammonia, Wahrheit) 03:17
    Track
    15
    Title
    Aria: Mein Blitz durchdringet Wahn und Lugen (Hammonia, Wahrheit)
    Duration
    03:17
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  17. 16 Recitative: Ja, Freundin, steh mir bei (Hammonia) 02:14
    Track
    16
    Title
    Recitative: Ja, Freundin, steh mir bei (Hammonia)
    Duration
    02:14
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  18. 17 Aria: Eintracht, Ruhe, Fried und Segen (Vertrauen) 04:25
    Track
    17
    Title
    Aria: Eintracht, Ruhe, Fried und Segen (Vertrauen)
    Duration
    04:25
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  19. 18 Recitative: O Gluck fur mich (Hammonia) 00:23
    Track
    18
    Title
    Recitative: O Gluck fur mich (Hammonia)
    Duration
    00:23
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  20. 19 Aria: Ein ewiges Verbinden verknupfet uns an deinem Staat (Andacht, Gerechtigkeit, Wahrheit, Vertrauen) 05:08
    Track
    19
    Title
    Aria: Ein ewiges Verbinden verknupfet uns an deinem Staat (Andacht, Gerechtigkeit, Wahrheit, Vertrauen)
    Duration
    05:08
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  21. 20 Recitative: O Hamburg, merke doch … (Andacht, Hammonia) 00:27
    Track
    20
    Title
    Recitative: O Hamburg, merke doch … (Andacht, Hammonia)
    Duration
    00:27
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  22. 21 Herr mein Gott (Hammonia, Chorus) 03:26
    Track
    21
    Title
    Herr mein Gott (Hammonia, Chorus)
    Duration
    03:26
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  23. 22 Recitative: Hammonia, verzeihe meine frage (Unachtsamkeit, Hammonia) 03:08
    Track
    22
    Title
    Recitative: Hammonia, verzeihe meine frage (Unachtsamkeit, Hammonia)
    Duration
    03:08
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  24. 23 Aria: Was hab ich notig zu erwagen (Unachtsamkeit) 03:46
    Track
    23
    Title
    Aria: Was hab ich notig zu erwagen (Unachtsamkeit)
    Duration
    03:46
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  25. 24 Recitative: O Himmel! Dieses ist die Unempfindliche (Andacht, Hammonia, Unachtsamkeit, Vertrauen) 01:42
    Track
    24
    Title
    Recitative: O Himmel! Dieses ist die Unempfindliche (Andacht, Hammonia, Unachtsamkeit, Vertrauen)
    Duration
    01:42
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  26. 25 Herr Gott, wir danken dir (Chorus) 00:59
    Track
    25
    Title
    Herr Gott, wir danken dir (Chorus)
    Duration
    00:59
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  27. Disc 2
  28. 1 Es locket die Trommel mit wirbelnden Schlagen (Chorus) 04:49
    Track
    1
    Title
    Es locket die Trommel mit wirbelnden Schlagen (Chorus)
    Duration
    04:49
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  29. 2 Recitative: So recht, ihr unerschrocknen Sohne (Kriegsgeist) 01:00
    Track
    2
    Title
    Recitative: So recht, ihr unerschrocknen Sohne (Kriegsgeist)
    Duration
    01:00
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  30. 3 Aria: Ein heller Strahl aus den entwichnen Zeiten (Kriegsgeist) 05:13
    Track
    3
    Title
    Aria: Ein heller Strahl aus den entwichnen Zeiten (Kriegsgeist)
    Duration
    05:13
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  31. 4 Da capo 00:46
    Track
    4
    Title
    Da capo
    Duration
    00:46
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  32. 5 Recitative: O weh! (Elbe) 00:58
    Track
    5
    Title
    Recitative: O weh! (Elbe)
    Duration
    00:58
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  33. 6 Aria: Schafer, stellt die Freuden ein (Elbe) 02:14
    Track
    6
    Title
    Aria: Schafer, stellt die Freuden ein (Elbe)
    Duration
    02:14
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  34. 7 Recitative: Was fur ein Angstschrei … (Zaghaftigkeit) 01:10
    Track
    7
    Title
    Recitative: Was fur ein Angstschrei … (Zaghaftigkeit)
    Duration
    01:10
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  35. 8 Aria: Verberget den Vorrat (Zaghaftigkeit) 03:43
    Track
    8
    Title
    Aria: Verberget den Vorrat (Zaghaftigkeit)
    Duration
    03:43
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  36. 9 Recitative: Verzagte, seht, ich bins, der euch bewacht! (Friede) 01:02
    Track
    9
    Title
    Recitative: Verzagte, seht, ich bins, der euch bewacht! (Friede)
    Duration
    01:02
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  37. 10 Aria: Ihr suchet euner ganzes Gluck in meinem Schutz (Friede) 04:12
    Track
    10
    Title
    Aria: Ihr suchet euner ganzes Gluck in meinem Schutz (Friede)
    Duration
    04:12
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  38. 11 Recitative: Des Friedens Zuspruch … (Zaghaftigkeit) 00:51
    Track
    11
    Title
    Recitative: Des Friedens Zuspruch … (Zaghaftigkeit)
    Duration
    00:51
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  39. 12 Aria: Dein Heldenmut sucht stets durch Blut (Zaghaftigkeit) 02:24
    Track
    12
    Title
    Aria: Dein Heldenmut sucht stets durch Blut (Zaghaftigkeit)
    Duration
    02:24
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  40. 13 Recitative: Nein, stelle deinen Kummer ein (Friede, Kriegsgiest) 01:03
    Track
    13
    Title
    Recitative: Nein, stelle deinen Kummer ein (Friede, Kriegsgiest)
    Duration
    01:03
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  41. 14 Aria: Der Adler fuhrt die Legionen (Kriegsgeist) 04:43
    Track
    14
    Title
    Aria: Der Adler fuhrt die Legionen (Kriegsgeist)
    Duration
    04:43
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  42. 15 Recitative: Wohlan, so geh (Die Elbe) 00:34
    Track
    15
    Title
    Recitative: Wohlan, so geh (Die Elbe)
    Duration
    00:34
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  43. 16 Auf, ruhret die Trommel (Elbe, Friede, Kriegsgeist) 04:11
    Track
    16
    Title
    Auf, ruhret die Trommel (Elbe, Friede, Kriegsgeist)
    Duration
    04:11
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  44. 17 Recitative: Ja ja, dies soll doch wohl geschehen (Neid) 01:14
    Track
    17
    Title
    Recitative: Ja ja, dies soll doch wohl geschehen (Neid)
    Duration
    01:14
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  45. 18 Aria: Ja, es muss dein Fall erscheinen (Neid) 04:28
    Track
    18
    Title
    Aria: Ja, es muss dein Fall erscheinen (Neid)
    Duration
    04:28
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  46. 19 Recitative: Schweig, wahnwitzvoller Neid (Chorus) 00:23
    Track
    19
    Title
    Recitative: Schweig, wahnwitzvoller Neid (Chorus)
    Duration
    00:23
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  47. 20 Aria: Ihr Deutschen, auf! (Chorus) 05:56
    Track
    20
    Title
    Aria: Ihr Deutschen, auf! (Chorus)
    Duration
    05:56
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  48. 21 Recitative: Die Tapferkeit begeistert Herz (Chorus) 00:52
    Track
    21
    Title
    Recitative: Die Tapferkeit begeistert Herz (Chorus)
    Duration
    00:52
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  49. 22 Aria: Ergreifet den Degen (Chorus) 04:23
    Track
    22
    Title
    Aria: Ergreifet den Degen (Chorus)
    Duration
    04:23
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  50. 23 Recitative: Und du, Hammonia, hor hier des Schicksals Willen (Friede) 01:32
    Track
    23
    Title
    Recitative: Und du, Hammonia, hor hier des Schicksals Willen (Friede)
    Duration
    01:32
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Ensemble
    Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  51. 24 Deuschlands Ruhm soll ewig stehen (All) 01:36
    Track
    24
    Title
    Deuschlands Ruhm soll ewig stehen (All)
    Duration
    01:36
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Performer
    Veronika Winter, Cornelia Samuelis, Jan Kobow, Immo Schröder, Gregor Finke
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max
  52. 25 Schliesset die Kette der Einigkeit feste (All) 01:31
    Track
    25
    Title
    Schliesset die Kette der Einigkeit feste (All)
    Duration
    01:31
    Composer
    Georg Philipp Telemann
    Performer
    Veronika Winter, Cornelia Samuelis, Jan Kobow, Immo Schröder, Gregor Finke
    Ensemble
    Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
    Conductor
    Hermann Max