JS Bach: Köthener Trauermusik BWV 244a CD review – lost funeral work springs back to life

Bach’s patron during his time at Köthen was Prince Leopold, who died in 1728 at the age of 33. Bach, by then in Leipzig, was asked to provide the funeral music; though the libretto survives, the music does not. However, the texts relate closely to two of Bach’s Leipzig works, the St Matthew Passion and the Trauerode, so their music can be adapted. Morgan Jourdain’s reconstruction follows Andrew Parrott’s pioneering first recording, with some differences —a missing chorus is based on the second Kyrie from the B minor Mass, which might well not have written by then. The performances under Raphaël Pichon are lithe and sprightly, almost too cheerful, but always transparent, with alto Damien Guillon outstanding.