in this WORLD PREMIERE RECORDING, Goldberg Baroque Ensemble and the Goldberg Vocal Ensemble conducted by Andrzej Szadejko present Johann Daniel Pucklitz's Oratorio Secondo. Pucklitz was a cellar master and council musician, impresario and music manager, concert promoter and composer. But above all, Johann Daniel Pucklitz was a deeply devout protestant Christian. With his Goldberg Baroque Ensemble, Andrzej Szadejko has reconstructed Pucklitz's oratorio "The Very Different Change and Death of the Godless and the Godfearing", bringing a score of incomprehensible colour to new life after more than 250 years.

The two-part work is already surprising in its proportions: an extensive, three-movement Sinfonia is followed by a wide-ranging chorale motet, which also brilliantly brings out the soloists in the aria sections.

The instruments of the large orchestra are used sparingly but very effectively, including solo bravura parts. And while the wicked celebrate with timpani and trumpets in the first part before breaking out into fearful lamentation, redemption and eternal peace beckon to the godly in the second part.

Recorded in MDG's pioneering 2+2+2 Surround Sound on SACD, this is a feast for the senses.