Bach, J.Ch.: Salve Regina

While Johann Christian Bach's instrumental works are almost completely documented on CD thanks to cpo, his sacred vocal music is considerably worse off. In this genre, too, he left behind a remarkable oeuvre that was mainly written in his Milan years 1755-1762 for his noble patrons. During these years he also received a profound training with the famous counterpoint specialist Padre Madini. Church music was thus at the centre of his work in those years, and what is already noticeable in these relatively early works - and later confirmed again and again - is the anticipation of Mozart's Melos, which is peculiarly typical. Mozart rightly knew what he owed this master We have now recorded three exemplary solo cantatas from this time with Emma Kirkby and Markus Schäfer for the first time Salve Regina for soprano, Laudate pueri for soprano and tenor and Si nocte tenebrosa for tenor The L'Orfeo Baroque Orchestra under its concertmaster Michi Gaigg is a more than adequate partner for the two star singers.