Cantatas, Volume 52 (BWV 29, 112, 140)
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J. S. BACH
Cantatas, Volume 52 (BWV 29, 112, 140)
Hana Blažíková (soprano), Robin Blaze (countertenor), Gerd Turk (tenor) / Peter Kooij (bass) / Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki
[ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD ]
Release Date: Thursday 1 November 2012
This item is currently out of stock. We expect to be able to supply it to you within 2 - 4 weeks from when you place your order.
In Volume 52 of his monumental sacred cantatas project, Masaaki Suzuki includes one of J.S. Bach's best-loved cantatas of all, Wachet auf ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140.
The famous chorale is joined by a couple of the most beautiful love duets in the history of music, here sung by the soprano Hana Blažíková and bass Peter Kooij.
Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt ('the Lord is my faithful shepherd') follows. Psalm 23 provides the text for all five movements.
Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir was composed for a church service celebrating the inauguration of a new city council - a 'Ratswahl cantata' - in which Bach shows off his capabilities as a composer. The first chorus is a reworking of material which Bach would return to in his Mass in B minor.
This startling recording project now nears its conclusion with three final volumes left to be released.
"BWV112 is universally outstanding. Suzuki draws attention to the strongly directed bass-lines of the chorus, the bucolic effervescence of 'Zum reinen Wasser' - delectably delivered by Robin Blaze - and the carefree, generous coloratura of the wonderfully etched duet...this is a finely characterised reading, celebrating the older Bach in a happy place." Gramophone Magazine, March 2013
"The sound is spectacular. The balances between and among singers, choir, and orchestra are life-like and richly detailed, equal to the finest in this series. This is one of those rare programs that defines categories. If asked for a definitive Tosca for instance, the 1955 Callas performance comes instantly to mind. A recommendation for just one French Baroque program? Jordi Savall's magnificent soundtrack to Tous les Matins du Monde. No LP or CD of Bach's sacred cantatas has impressed me enough to distinguish it as such-until now. Highly recommended" (10/10 ClassicsToday)
"[BWV112] is well worth exploring, especially for Robin Blaze's liquid countertenor...Hana Blazikova and Peter Kooij's first duetto might sound distinctly lacking in impatience for the coming of the Saviour, but happily their second is ecstatic and full of life." BBC Music Magazine, May 2013 ****
"The acoustic is warm, draws no attention to itself; and the balance of solo singers, solo instrumentalists and ensemble is excellent." MusicWeb International, April 2013
Tracks:
Cantata BWV140 'Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme'
Cantata BWV112 'Der Herr ist mein getreuer Hirt'
Cantata BWV29 'Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir'
