Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Philippe Herreweghe, Chapelle Royale Opera Orchestra & Chorus :: Bach: Cantatas for Bass

Herreweghe and Kooy : a wonderful combination

Jeremy | Paris, France | 04/02/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have yet to hear a recording by Herreweghe that I don't like, and this is no exception. The lullaby "Schlummert Ein", from BWV 82 "Ich Habe Genug" is worth the price on its own. I am no expert, but the sound from Herreweghe's recordings always sounds richer and clearer than others I've heard, especially by Harnoncourt. Some of the other tracks are a bit tedious, but on the whole, this is one of my very favorite cantata recordings, and one I never tire of listening to."

Almost the best

Alexandre C. Bonilha | Sao Paulo, Brazil | 12/07/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I have three records of these Cantatas: Pólgar, Opalach, Kooy and Fischer-Dieskau. I like them all but I have to say that the version of Fischer-Dieskau (with Richter) is the more impressive. Kooy is better than Opalach and maybe Pólgar, but not than Fischer-Dieskau. But this is only a comparison, the version of Kooy is very beautiful."

Wonderful CD from this rich Bass

Helen Hancox | Essex, England | 11/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Peter Kooy has appeared as Bass on many of Harmonia Mundi's CDs and I became familiar with him after he appeared on many of the Bach Cantatas with Andreas Scholl. I originally bought this CD as it was under five pounds and helped make a Super Saver order so I had free postage. However I have found myself returning to listen to it again and again as it's a wonderful piece of music.



Peter Kooy's voice is one of those wonderful warm Basses which is soothing and relaxing to listen to. He doesn't add too much vibrato to his singing (and I find this style works so much better with Bach's music) and his diction in the German is always very clear. Quite simply he makes these songs come alive and they are always a joy to listen to.



The CD is conducted by Philip Herreweghe who does his usual masterful job along with La Chapelle Royale orchestra (and a choir on the last track). However Peter Kooy is very much the star of this CD with his warm and rounded phrasing in the three cantatas.



The first, BWV 82 "Ich habe genug" or "ich habe genung" (apparently 'genung' is an old-fashioned but acceptable variant of the word) is the sort of cantata that really sticks in your brain. The first track ("Ich habe genug") is outstanding and the long third track ("schlummert ein"), a little more contemplative in nature, equally enjoyable. I'm not personally a big fan of recitatives but at least I can say they're fairly short in this cantata! The third main track of this cantata is "Ich freue mich" and it shows Peter Kooy's technical skills in singing a fast-moving piece.



The second, BWV 56 "Ich will den Kreutzstab gerne tragen" is, according to its subject matter, more introspective. The final piece in this cantata ("Komm, o Tod") has the choir joining in and makes a fitting conclusion.



The third cantata, BWV 158 "Der Friede sei mit dir", was less memorable for me than the previous two although the last piece which includes the choir, "Hier ist das rechte Osterlamm" was very good.



All in all this is an excellent value CD which will give many, many hours of listening pleasure."