Various Composers - Beyond Bach. Forgotten Treasures of the German Baroque (Astrid Knöchlein)

Information

• Johann David Heinichen - Sonata F-Major for Oboe and b.c.
• Andreas Heinrich Schulze - Sonata Nr. 3 d-minor for Recorder and b.c.
• Johann Sigismund Weiss - Sonata g-minor for Oboe and b.c.
• Johann Ulich - Sonata C-Major Nr.1 for Recorder un b.c.
• Johann Scherer - Sonata c-minor for Oboe and b.c.
• Georg Philipp Telemann - Sonata C-Major for Recorder and b.c.
• Johann Heinrich Freytag - Sonata Eb-Major for Oboe and b.c.
• Johann Christian Schickhardt - Sonata a-minor for Recorder and b.c. op.17 Nr.12
• Christoph Schaffrath - Sonata d-minor for Oboe and b.c.

Astrid Knöchlein, oboe & recorder

Date: 2025

Label: Ars Produktion

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The term "German High Baroque" is commonly associated with the names of Johann Sebastian Bach  and George Frideric Handel, its most prominent representatives. However, the vibrant and rich German musical culture was also shaped by many other names, some of which have been forgotten today. This is often due more to chance than to the quality of the composer or the work. Libraries and archives still contain many treasures from composers who are not present in the mainstream of the early music scene.

Astrid Knöchlein and her ensemble have embarked on a search for such forgotten gems of German Baroque music and, in this recording, have presented a selection of oboe and recorder sonatas—some of them world premiere recordings—on period instruments. Completely in the baroque tradition of the musician who masters several instruments, Astrid Knöchlein can be heard on this recording as both a recorder and an oboe soloist.

Astrid Knöchlein, born in Rothenburg ob der Tauber, is a German recorder and baroque oboe specialist. She studied at top institutions including Zurich University of the Arts and Conservatorium van Amsterdam, earning diplomas with distinction. A prize-winning soloist, she is active in both early and contemporary music, premiering new works and performing at major festivals. She is a core member of Orchestra La Scintilla at Zurich Opera and collaborates with renowned ensembles like Les Arts Florissants and I Barocchisti. Astrid has worked with leading conductors and artists such as Cecilia Bartoli and Plácido Domingo, and also teaches in Zurich.