As far as we can gather from the interweb, which always speaks the truth, Kuhnau is on a par with JS Bach. While relatively unknown, he is about to become more famous and this CD of world premiere recordings marks the beginning of the first complete scholarly critical edition of Kuhnau’s cantatas, part of a project that will culminate in 2022, the 300th anniversary of his death.
The introductory notes say Kuhnau is “woefully neglected”, despite having a greater output than Bach. In his day he was seen as the paragon of church music and influenced Bach, Handel and Telemann.
The titles tells you what it is but not how splendid the music is.
Works include Mein Alter Kommt, Ich Kann Nicht Sterben, which the sleeve notes hail as “innovative” and Es Steh Gott Auf and Daran Erkennen Wir, Dass Wir In Ihm Verbleiben, both “splendid”. It’s very enjoyable CD, with a lot of charm and composition of the highest standards.