Becker / Zumsande / Schmalz- Sacred Concertos & Sonatas (CD)
Probably born in Hamburg in 1623, Dietrich Becker not only mastered organ playing, but also developed into an outstanding violinist and composer. His music-historical importance lies primarily in the field of instrumental music, but his contribution to sacred music also shows him to be a distinguished composer: five sacred concertos from his pen have survived in their entirety; they are united as first recordings on this release. The form and style of the sacred concertos show typical similarities: As instrumental parts, Becker preferred a full-voiced string instrumentation; the singing parts are not conducted virtuosically, but predominantly syllabically, and serve primarily a clear reproduction of the text and follow the affect of the text. Singing voices and instruments frequently confront each other in dialogue.
Probably born in Hamburg in 1623, Dietrich Becker not only mastered organ playing, but also developed into an outstanding violinist and composer. His music-historical importance lies primarily in the field of instrumental music, but his contribution to sacred music also shows him to be a distinguished composer: five sacred concertos from his pen have survived in their entirety; they are united as first recordings on this release. The form and style of the sacred concertos show typical similarities: As instrumental parts, Becker preferred a full-voiced string instrumentation; the singing parts are not conducted virtuosically, but predominantly syllabically, and serve primarily a clear reproduction of the text and follow the affect of the text. Singing voices and instruments frequently confront each other in dialogue.