Christian Friedrich Ruppe (1753-1826) was a German composer (from Thüringen) who in 1788 came to the Dutch city of Leiden, to boost its somewhat dwindled musical life. And this he did with full energy and zest. As musical director of the University and organist of the Lutheran Church he composed a wealth of sacred music, but also catered for the upcoming middle class’ need for domestic music, such as chamber music, Romances for voice and piano and illustrative piano works (with fancy titles). This recording presents Ruppe’s Christmas Cantata, as well as (a shorter) Easter Cantata: festive, brilliant and melodious music sung in Dutch, reminiscent of Haydn’s Schöpfung. Excellent performance based on the Historically Informed Performance Practice, led by early music specialist Jed wentz and his Musica ad Rhenum (for the occasion extended with oboes, flutes, horns, trumpets, bassoon and timpani!), the vocal Ensemble Bouzignac and 4 excellent Dutch vocal soloists. The booklet contains excellent liner notes in English and Dutch, as well as the original sung texts. A reissue from the rich back catalogue of the NM Classics label, the label for Dutch music.