Through Fire and Water: Cantatas by Jacquet de la Guerre and Planyavsky

Élisabeth Jacquet de La Guerre’s Cantates Francaises, published at the start of the 18th Century, act as dramatic mini-operas bringing to life key scenes from the Old Testament in intimate, chamber-like settings by turns virtuosic, lyrical, and contemplative.

The two cantatas in this performance both see their protagonists entrusting themselves to the power of God against the terror of the sea: Jonas in the storm, and the Israelites fleeing the chariots of Pharaoh.

Contemporary Austrian composer Peter Planyavsky’s Die vier Männer im Feuerofen (The Four Men in the Burning Fiery Furnace), for voice and organ, similarly explores one of the most breathtaking sequences in the Book of Daniel: the trial of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in King Nebuchadnezzar’s oven, and their rescue through their steadfast faith.

Will Anderson - Tenor
Caro Lesemann-Elliott - Violin
Rudyard Cook - Cello
Crawford Wiley - Keyboards