In this recording Musica Gloria performs forgotten treasures from the manuscript collection of Georg Österreich (1664-1735).

This collection, better known under the name of his successor Bokemeyer, is one of the most important sources for German sacred music around 1700, being the only source for some of the output from Buxtehude, Bruhns, Rosenmüller and many others. Österreich started this collection with north German cantatas by himself and by colleagues important to him. Besides two works by Georg Österreich, his brother Michael, his composition teacher Johann Theile, his singing teacher and colleague Giulio Giuliani, his predecessor as Kappelmeister in Gottorf, Johann Philipp Förtsch, his colleague Johann Friedrich Meister and his student and successor Heinrich Bokemeyer, are each represented by one work in this programme.

This recording represents the rich variety of textures and compositional styles found in the music by Österreich and his circle. From cantatas for a solo voice or a four-part voice group (with and without ripieni) to more unusual settings like two sopranos, alto and tenor (without bass) and a seven- part piece. The instrumental forces asked for are remarkably rich: two oboes, dulcian/bassoon, a five-part string group, harpsichord and organ. Österreich was a pioneer in the use of oboes in German sacred music in the 1680s.

Musica Gloria researched these performance traditions and performed this repertoire in Hollern (Germany) with an original 1690 church organ by Arp Schnitger (the main organ builder of that time and area).