Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, John Eliot Gardiner, Daniel Taylor :: Bach: Cantatas, BWV 94, 105, 168

Sublime!

03/01/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am writing this review even though I am not a baroque or classical music expert, because there were not other reviews, which was greatly surprising to me. Although I cannot speak technical language, I love Bach. This is the most exciting Bach recording I have ever heard. I have only heard one other of Gardiner's "Bach Pilgrimage" series, which was also brilliant. This is my favorite, and now I'm ordering some of the other recordings in this series. To me, the soloists, the choir, the sound of the period instrumentation, the spiritual content of the contatas, Gardiner: everything is exquisite, sensitive. All aspects seem to have contributed to create a rare, beaming recording of very great beauty. That's all I can say. I recommend it most highly. I can't imagine that this recording would dissatisfy you."

Astonishingly and Profoundly Beautiful

B. R. Merrick | 10/17/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have all six Brandenburg Concertos, numerous Orchestral Suites, some Harpsichord Concertos, and the B Minor Mass, all played by various early music ensembles. All of it is terrific. And none of it even approaches the level of interpretation, the exquisite sensitivity of these performances of these works. This CD is so wonderful, so incredibly woven together in all its diverse elements, that I have a hard time determining whether it is great because these works are superior to the other works in my Bach collection, or whether it is due to Gardiner's attention to detail and emotive quality.



These works instantly shot up to the top of my list of favorite choral/orchestral compositions after purchasing this CD. The continuo instruments tread softly throughout the singing, which is light, airy, and in complete synchronicity with the instrumentalists. The balance between the choral sections and the soloists is virtually unparalleled by any recordings of any other works from any other composers in my collection. The high point of the entire CD is Katharine Fuge's aria "Wie Zittern und Wanken," from "Herr, gehe nicht ins Gericht." Just listen to the gentle interplay of the solo oboe and Fuge's delicate soaring above the repeating chords of the strings.



Gardiner has recorded many of Bach's Cantatas. They will shortly be in my collection. They should also be in yours."

Brilliant

Teemacs | Switzerland | 07/24/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most of the Archiv releases in respect of Gardiner's Bach Cantata Pilgrimage of 2000 were not recorded on the Pilgrimage, but as much as 10 years earlier. This is an exception, recorded live in Il Duomo di S. Nicolò in Merano in August 2000. And it is great. The pick of the bunch is BWV105, which featured a gorgeous soprano aria "Wie zittern und wanken", followed by a recitative and the bright, bouncy tenor aria "Kann ich nur Jesum mir zum Freunde machen", rejecting the world and all its works. Never have I heard it played with SUCH bounce; it's irresistible, you moan along, wave your arms in the air and generally make a complete fool of yourself. Well, OK, I do. At this price, Amazon is giving it away. Buy now, before Amazon comes to its senses."