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This recording, whose title is here embodied in an instrumental version by Georg Böhm of the renowned chorale Vater unser, brings together sacred works and Lutheran cantatas for the alto voice. The concertante role allotted to the instruments is particularly important in these works and contributes to their deeply expressive character; these works were heavily influenced by Italian styles of the period. All of the instrumental works are closely linked to sacred music, the majority of them being constructed around chorale melodies. The violinist Stéphanie de Failly founded Clematis in 2001 with the intention of concentrating on the lesser-known repertoire of the 17th century. The ensemble performs extensively from the Italian repertoire of the period as well as French and German works, although with a particular interest in the forgotten works of such composers from the Low Countries of the time as Nicolaus à Kempis, Carolus Hacquart and Giuseppe Zamponi. Clematis also made a performing version and gave the first performance in modern times of Zamponi's opera Ulisse nell isola di Circe; the opera had first been given in Brussels in 1650. The French counter-tenor, Paulin Bündgen, graduated from the Lyons Conservatoire (CNSM) and went on to study with Marie-Claude Vallin, Dominique Vellard and Isabelle Eschenbrenner. He has appeared at many festivals, and is comfortable on the opera stage as well. He also has an affinity for contemporary music.
