Wayne Watson - Wayne Watson - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Christoph Graupner was one of the most important composers in Germany during his lifetime. In the competition for the position of Leipzig's Thomaskantor, he was second only to Telemann and ahead of Bach. However, his employer, Landgrave Ernst Ludwig, did not let him go. So he remained as court kapellmeister in Darmstadt and in the end held the position for over 50 years! Time enough to create an enormous oeuvre, at the center of which are over 1400 cantatas. Countertenor Franz Vitzthum and tenor Georg Poplutz have selected solo arias and duets for their voices from this fund, focusing on cantatas for Easter and the Easter season. These cantatas radiate great confidence and hope, which Graupner's translates into his very modern and forward-looking galant style. The Main Baroque Orchestra complements the vocal program with an overture in C minor and a concerto for two violins.

The Definitive Collection features the 10 songs that defined Watson's career, complete with an informative update concerning what they are up to now. As this collection demonstrates, few songwriters have tapped so deeply into their own life and yet created songs so universal in their appeal than Wayne Watson.

Wayne Watson - Even This [COMPACT DISCS] date 03/18/2008