Johann Heinrich Rolle belongs to the generation of J. S. Bach’s elder sons. Pipped at the post by C. P. E. Bach as Telemann’s successor in Hamburg, Rolle centred his musical life round Berlin and his native Magdeburg. Recitatives, arias, duets and choruses make up this two-part music drama which is both lyrical and on occasion vividly pictorial in its imagery. A fine performance.

Johann Heinrich Rolle (1716-1785), who worked for more than 30 years as "Director musices" and Cantor at the Altstädtische Gymnasium in Magdeburg, enjoyed great popularity in his day and won. a. important as the founder of the first public concert series in Magdeburg. According to advertisements in the Magdeburger Zeitung, the oratorio was heard in December 1769 and 1771 within this »Rolleschen concert series«, and it has not yet been clarified whether the work was even used as regular church music. The text, of which the poet is unknown, does not describe the events in the field near Bethlehem as usual, but is devoted to religious considerations.
The chamber choir Michaelstein and the Telemann chamber orchestra Michaelstein under the experienced direction of Ludger Remy present this forgotten masterpiece of Central German music.