Telemann: Kapitansmusik 1738 / Max, Rheinische Kantorei

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Label
CPO
Release Date
February 22, 2011
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      TELEMANN, GEORG PHILIPP
    • PERFORMER
      Winter, Samuelis, Kobow, Schroder, Abele, Finke, Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert, Max
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      February 22, 2011
    • UPC
      761203738625
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      777386-2
    • LABEL
      CPO
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Choral - Secular
    Works ⌄

    1. Wohl dem Volke (Hammonia, Vertrauen, Gerechtigkeit, Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    2. Recitative: Mit nimmersatter Lust und Achtsamkeit (Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    3. Stimmt in unsre frohen Lieder (Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    4. Recitative: Der reiche Segen lauft in meinen Hafen ein (Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    5. Aria: Freue dich an diesem Tage (Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    6. Recitative: Doch, da sich Gluck und Wohl … (Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    7. Aria: Heiliges Wesen (Hammonia, Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    8. Recitative: Jawohl, Hammonia (Andacht)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    9. Aria: Kann dies wohl ein Mensch erwagen (Andacht)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    10. Recitative: Nein, Freundin, nein, nein (Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    11. Aria: Licht des Lebens (Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    12. Recitative: Hammonia, so recht … (Andacht, Gerechtigkeit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    13. Aria: Im Gertichte soll mein gottlich's Gewichte … (Gerechtigkeit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    14. Recitative: O wahres Gluck fur mich (Wahrheit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    15. Aria: Mein Blitz durchdringet Wahn und Lugen (Hammonia, Wahrheit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    16. Recitative: Ja, Freundin, steh mir bei (Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    17. Aria: Eintracht, Ruhe, Fried und Segen (Vertrauen)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    18. Recitative: O Gluck fur mich (Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    19. Aria: Ein ewiges Verbinden verknupfet uns an deinem Staat (Andacht, Gerechtigkeit, Wahrheit, Vertrauen)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    20. Recitative: O Hamburg, merke doch … (Andacht, Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    21. Herr mein Gott (Hammonia, Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    22. Recitative: Hammonia, verzeihe meine frage (Unachtsamkeit, Hammonia)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    23. Aria: Was hab ich notig zu erwagen (Unachtsamkeit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    24. Recitative: O Himmel! Dieses ist die Unempfindliche (Andacht, Hammonia, Unachtsamkeit, Vertrauen)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    25. Herr Gott, wir danken dir (Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    26. Es locket die Trommel mit wirbelnden Schlagen (Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    27. Recitative: So recht, ihr unerschrocknen Sohne (Kriegsgeist)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    28. Aria: Ein heller Strahl aus den entwichnen Zeiten (Kriegsgeist)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    29. Da capo

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    30. Recitative: O weh! (Elbe)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    31. Aria: Schafer, stellt die Freuden ein (Elbe)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    32. Recitative: Was fur ein Angstschrei … (Zaghaftigkeit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    33. Aria: Verberget den Vorrat (Zaghaftigkeit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    34. Recitative: Verzagte, seht, ich bins, der euch bewacht! (Friede)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    35. Aria: Ihr suchet euner ganzes Gluck in meinem Schutz (Friede)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    36. Recitative: Des Friedens Zuspruch … (Zaghaftigkeit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    37. Aria: Dein Heldenmut sucht stets durch Blut (Zaghaftigkeit)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    38. Recitative: Nein, stelle deinen Kummer ein (Friede, Kriegsgiest)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    39. Aria: Der Adler fuhrt die Legionen (Kriegsgeist)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    40. Recitative: Wohlan, so geh (Die Elbe)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    41. Auf, ruhret die Trommel (Elbe, Friede, Kriegsgeist)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    42. Recitative: Ja ja, dies soll doch wohl geschehen (Neid)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    43. Aria: Ja, es muss dein Fall erscheinen (Neid)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    44. Recitative: Schweig, wahnwitzvoller Neid (Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    45. Aria: Ihr Deutschen, auf! (Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    46. Recitative: Die Tapferkeit begeistert Herz (Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    47. Aria: Ergreifet den Degen (Chorus)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    48. Recitative: Und du, Hammonia, hor hier des Schicksals Willen (Friede)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Das Kleine Konzert

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    49. Deuschlands Ruhm soll ewig stehen (All)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Performer: Veronika Winter, Cornelia Samuelis, Jan Kobow, Immo Schröder, Gregor Finke

      Conductor: Hermann Max

    50. Schliesset die Kette der Einigkeit feste (All)

      Composer: Georg Philipp Telemann

      Ensemble: Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert

      Performer: Veronika Winter, Cornelia Samuelis, Jan Kobow, Immo Schröder, Gregor Finke

      Conductor: Hermann Max


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