Te Deum 1781, Sinfonia, Oboe Concerto : Valek / Czech Ensemble Baroque O & Cho Haugk(Ob)

Nearly 1,000 kilometres separate Holeov, Moravia, from Strasbourg. Franz Xaver Richters professional journey started in Count Rottals court orchestra in Holeov and ended in the prestigious post of Kapellmeister at the Cathdrale Notre-Dame in Strasbourg. He is primarily known as one of the major representatives of the renowned Mannheim School, with his trumpet Sinfonia No. 52 in D being a typical example of the late Mannheim form. The grandiose Te Deum, featured on the present album, is Richters second setting of the hymn and was first performed in 1781 in Strasbourg, during the celebrations marking the centenary of the citys coming under French administration. Along with the motet Exsultate Deo, the piece falls within the composers vocal-instrumental oeuvre, which has yet to be explored (and, just as in the case of Jan Dismas Zelenkas music, contains many unexpected twists and turns). The virtuoso, engrossing and masterfully balanced Oboe Concerto with the original cadenzas represents Richters concertante style. Following their premiere recordings of Richters Requiem and the Passion oratorio La Deposizione dalla croce di Ges Cristo, the present Czech Ensemble Baroque album maps another part of the remarkable 18thcentury composers work. Newly discovered gems from Franz Xaver Richters undeservedly overlooked oeuvre.