The Capella Cantorum, founded in 1981, is a Berlin vocal ensemble, 10 to 15 strong according to the project in hand, under the direction of Klaus Eichhorn. It devotes itself especially to sacred music of the 16th to 18th centuries. In keeping with the musical practice of the period, the ensemble is made up exclusively of boys' and mens' voices. The group's work is aimed at the proper representation of affects and a declamation of texts geared to the verbal sense. In several recordings the Capella assumes the function of the chapel choir, which reinforces the Favoritchor (the soloists) at suitable points. This too was common until the middle of the 18th century; if J.S. Bach's preserved part-books are followed, in his oratorios the soloists had to sing throughout and were supported by the ripienists only in the less virtuoso choruses. |