In the long and eventful history of the Dresden court music, the figure of Kapellmeister Johann Christoph Schmidt undoubtedly marks a critical juncture. However, it seems that Augustus the Strong recognized Schmidt's talent early on, as his rise was steady and culminated in 1697 when he officially succeeded Schutz - a wise decision by the ruler, who Schmidt well served with musical creations that catered to the favored French taste. The Serene Highness likely experienced many unexpected delights: behind the facade of the conventional suite lies sophisticated rhythmic and metric artistry that enlivens the progression with displaced accents and whimsical turns, demanding an exceptional ensemble like the one Schmidt assembled in Dresden.
