Goldberg Baroque Ensemble, Goldberg Vocal Ensemble & Andrzej Szadejko - Pucklitz: Opera Omnia, Vol. 2 (2026) [Hi-Res]

Revelation

Johann Daniel Pucklitz stands among the most remarkable and inventive composers of the late German Baroque. Under the direction of Andrzej Szadejko, the Goldberg Baroque Ensemble continues its ambitious Opera Omnia project with world premiere recordings of Pucklitz's strikingly imaginative cantatas. Volume 2 brings to light music that has remained unheard for centuries, revealing the richness and expressive power of a composer whose sacred works bridge the grandeur of Bach's world with the emerging stylistic shifts of the Rococo and the Age of Sensibility.

Splendour

Pucklitz's music constantly surprises with its originality and refusal to conform to convention. Imaginative scoring, bold harmonic ideas, and a distinctive approach to sacred texts create a sound world that is instantly recognisable and endlessly engaging. Whether in intimate, chamber-like textures or richly coloured ensemble writing, each page reveals a composer of exceptional individuality and artistic imagination.

Vision

The theological and emotional depth of these cantatas is matched by a remarkable gift for musical storytelling, as in the tenor aria "Wenn mich der Tod zur Abfahrt winket" (When Death beckons me to depart). Moments of serene devotion contrast with passages of dramatic intensity, such as the chorus "ob es jetzt gleich kracht und blitzt..." (Though now it thunders and flashes), while a solo violin conjures a vivid storm through dazzling figuration, illuminating the text with striking sensitivity and expressive power.

Resonance

The acoustics of the Holy Trinity Church in Gdansk--where Pucklitz's works were composed and performed--provide a setting of remarkable authenticity and depth. Preserved historical features, together with period instruments (or faithful replicas) and historically informed performance practice, create an immersive sound world. Captured with MDG's signature spacious, natural recording style, this release offers a rare opportunity to experience Pucklitz's music as it may have sounded in its original 18th-century setting.