This is the second instalment of the Das Leiden Jesu, written by Graupner for Lent in 1741 at the court of Darmstadt. As was his wont, the composer experimented freely – in his day, he had a lot of latitude from his employers – in particular in terms of instrumental accompaniments: a number of solo instruments, using an ancestor of the clarinet and, in several cantatas (though not the ones here), very daring writing. Of course, as was the done thing in those days, the melodic forms closely follow the lyrics, using a principle of "musical painting" or "figuration" which Bach would often call upon. The Mannheimer Hofkapelle, conducted by Florian Heyerick, takes care to play using exactly the same period instruments, in the same arrangement, and in the same historical venues that Mannheim's orchestra would have used in days gone by. We eagerly await the next instalment! © SM/Qobuz