Albums devoted to
J.S. Bach
's influences often focus on a few big North German names, that of
Dietrich Buxtehude
above all. There is something compelling about the story of the 20-year-old
Bach
walking 250 miles to hear
Buxtehude
, having such a good time that he stayed on after his agreed-upon departure date, and getting in trouble as a result. Yet, the young
heard a lot of music from the various cities with which he was connected early in his career, and a fuller picture is needed. That is what is provided by the
Akademie für Alte Musik
and the mellifluous 12-member
Voces Suaves
vocal ensemble on this 2024 release. Most of the music is vocal, but a primary focus is
Johann Pachelbel
, whom
actually met when he was nine years old. He is represented by a pair of suites that, well before
's own French suites, handle the French court dances elegantly yet leave room for an improvisatory spirit in their opening Sonata and Sonatina movements. A couple of
's older relatives are here, and one can certainly hear
in their music, as well as in that of a pair of cousins,
Adam Drese
and
Johann Samuel Drese
, the latter,
's actual boss in Weimar. That composer's cantata
Gott ist unser Zuversicht und Stärke
is one of three world-recorded premieres here, along with a reconstructed work by
Georg Christoph Strattner
and one by
Johann Georg Ahle
. Most of these names are unknown to all but
specialists, but much of the music genuinely sounds like
and is quite appealing in these quiet performances. The
OutHere
engineering team provides clear, idiomatic sound from the Martinskirche in Basel, Switzerland, on an album that will be valued by any
lover. ~ James Manheim