Olivia Vermeulen, Capella Orlandi Bremen & Thomas Ihlenfeldt - Keiser: Theatralische Music (2020)

Reinhard Keisers Kleine theatralische Musik contains arrangements of instrumental versions of opera numbers. This work involves a collection of theater music compiled by the composer from his operas written prior to 1718. This work is complemented by further instrumental music as well as Keiser's cantatas and arias. First, we have performances of works in their original source form: the cantata Die bis in den Tod geliebte Iris and the Theatralische Musik. Second, we have arias and a cantata from an anthology in the Berlin State Library. Third and last, we have interpretations of cantatas that - in keeping with the composers practice - were taken over for his own arrangements. Reinhard Keiser is regarded as one of the most important German composers of the Baroque, and this new Keiser release offers proof of the profound stylistic knowledge and sophisticated instrumental and vocal culture of the ensemble led by Thomas Ihlenfeldt.