Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Wolfgang Gonnenwein, Helen Watts :: Bach: Cantatas Nos. 80, 140, 147; Motet

Excellent Stuff

Amatuer | 02/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am a relative newcomer to Bach's cantatas, so this review might not carry much gravitas but anyone's free to contradict me. I thought this was an excellent recording of some of Bach's most loved and well known cantatas, and this double-disc offers excellent value for money. Cantata 147 was superb, and thankfully was not sung in English as I have heard before but in German obviously as it should be -I go crazy hearing "Jesu Joy of Man's Desire" in english the German sounds so much better and this version is a case in point, with a really vibrant orchestral accompaniment instead of a laboured organ which I have heard before. This chorus is so good, Bach included it twice in BWV 147 and it really is a joy.



The second cantata on the first disc is BWV 227, the motet "Jesu meine Freude". I knew nothing of this beforehand and was delighted to find out that it contains all choruses and corales with no recititatives which I find to be a bit boring (queue sound of purists turning in their graves).The choir here is uniformly excellent



The second disc begins with BWV 140 "Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme". I have a particular love and interest for this cantata having sung it recently and this is how it's meant to be sung- the South German Madrigal Choir's execution is far better than our unbalanced amatuer one! The tricky "Wachet Auf" chorus is handled effortlessly and perfectly with the "alleluia" bit toward the end absolutley superb. The two soprano/bass duets are also brillaint but the undoubted highlight of this cantata comes with the final corale "Gloria sie dir gesungen". This contains such joy and sheer beauty it must be heard to be believed. Translated, one of the lines reads "With men's and angel's tongues" and this sounds like choirs of angels. The finale with the sopranos hitting strong soaring high notes is hairs on the back of the neck stuff.



I know nothing about BWV 80 but to this amatuer it sounded excellent with the opening chorus a joy, punctuated with triumphant french horn throughout.The cantata is routinely excellent throughout.



I would definitely reccomend this cd to classical lovers in general and to Bach lovers in particular"

Beautiful Bach

J. Anderson | Monterey, CA USA | 08/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These somewhat older recordings of three of Bach's greatest cantatas deliver superb music making! Cantata 147 features memorably articulate, vibrant and focused singing by a young Joan Sutherland; the performance of the famous chorale, though taken perhaps a tad slow, richly serves the incumbent spirituality of Bach's music. Better the understatement found here than the racing tempi that ruin at least four other major versions I have. Gardner's tempi are acceptable, but the playing is not as focused as it is under these conductors. The orchestras here are pliant and attentive, partnering splendid singing with a devoted sense of intimacy. Altmeyer, Baker & Ameling are especially fine soloists in the other two cantatas. I've heard many performances of Bach's cantatas and consider these among the very best recorded versions. With so many recordings of the cantatas available, one would think there should be many musically fine editions from which to choose and be content, but memorable performances are rare enough indeed. Music making of this kind quashes an already notoriously thin controversy with respect to period instruments and style. This is music verily from the inside out, nothing less. It's a delight to experience from beginning to end. A separate chorale version of 'Jesu, meine Freude' (with slightly altered melodic cadence) is an unexpected additional treat. Don't hesitate, for Bach's sake!"

Paying Homage To Bach's Spirituality

rodboomboom | Dearborn, Michigan United States | 09/26/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Tempo is vital to excellent Bach Cantatas, and here Jones directs fine group of vocalists, choirs and orchestra in solid, stable yet passionate account of four cantatas as well as Jesu, Meine Freude.



This is excellent balanced two CD recording, which is sensitive, informed and lively as needed.



Especially attracted to dignififed offering of Cantata 80, with superb vocals by Emeling and Sotin.



Nice price, combination and performance at reasonable price."