The death of Georg Philipp Telemann in 1767 paved the way for his godson, Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach to take up the position of Director of Music in Hamburg. Prior to that, CPE Bach had been working for Frederick the Second of Prussia in Berlin but longed for a greater musical freedom and stylistic flexibility that working in Hamburg would offer him. This included the composition of three oratorios, including the one presented here.

CPE Bach worked on The Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus in collaboration with the librettist Karl Wilhelm Ramler from 1781, and in 1787 it was published by Breitkopf. A letter from the composer to his publisher subsequently revealed he considered it to be one of his greatest masterpieces - a reflection agreed upon by audiences at the time, and succeeding generations of composers, including Haydn and Beethoven who both drew inspiration from it.

‘Sigiswald Kuijken’s lively but sensitive and thoughtful direction, and his attention to details of the instrumental texture, ensure that the work gets the performance it merits. I found it compelling, and warmly recommend it’ - Gramophone

‘Every listening experience should be an adventure, and CPE Bach and Hyperion do not disappoint’ - The Times

‘Stephan Genz is outstanding … a touching and sometimes exciting piece that deserves to be heard for that thrilling chorus alone’ - BBC Music Magazine

‘This excellent performance captures the listener’s full attention from the very first note’ - The Daily Telegraph

‘Hyperion has a superb knack of picking repertoire that is not mainstream and recording it to disc with excellent soloists, orchestras and conductors. This is no exception … the trio of soloists give fine performances, as does the band with sympathetic accompaniments’ - Cathedral Music

‘Une merveilleuse réalisation qui prend valeur de référence’ - Classica, France)

[from CDA67364]