Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Ton Koopman, Paul Agnew :: Bach: Complete Cantatas, Volume 10 / Koopman

The Chorale Cantatas at last

Roger Travis Jr. | Connecticut, USA | 12/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"With volume 10, Koopman and his more or less stable team have reached Bach's second surviving yearly cantata cycle, from the year 1724-5, a cycle dominated by cantatas based on chorale texts and melodies. (The first disc of this set is, however, devoted to works from 1723-4, and the last disc holds a cantata from 1719 which was parodied in one of the 1723-4 works; Koopman is nothing if not completist.) I could write forever on the subject of who should buy this set (chorale-lovers, completists) and who shouldn't (nit-pickers), but I suppose it comes down to this: these are very good performances of cantatas that have not been recorded often and of which I, at least, have longed for good, historically-informed recordings. Suzuki's series on BIS, which is generally better-regarded, will probably reach these cantatas next year, and may well improve on Koopman's renderings, but if you've been waiting to buy from this series until Koopman hit these under-served works, now's the time; you will not be disappointed as you have been with past versions. I think you do have to love hymns and hymn-singing to love some of these cantatas, so be warned that this review comes from one such listener, who listens to these pieces as a way to recover the liturgical occasions of 18th C. Germany; most importantly this perspective of mine has made Koopman's cycle almost immune for me from the many criticisms levelled at the occasionally-uneven virtuosity of his soloists. The point for me is (for example) the thrilling baroque trumpets in the opening chorus of "Herr Gott dich loben alle wir," and the thrilling sopranos, so much more secure than Harnoncourt's boys, matching them on the chorale melody."

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 05/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"HYMN INSPIRED CANTATAS

This second cycle of Bach's cantatas is the beginning of a long and remarkable series of chorale cantatas-works inspired both textually and musically by hymns-which gives the cycle its unity. The opening and closing movements of these chorale cantatas are usually based word for word on the first and last verse of the hymn and its melody.



There is a great variety of instruments used in all of this music which really adds to the interest of the listener. Some of the melodies are quite "jazzy" as only Bach can produce; those wonderful lilting tunes that make you want to move with the music. And. of course, there are the more sombre "dark" sounds that one also should expect from Bach; those unexpected turns harmonically and rhythmically that catch us by surprise.



Most of these cantatas were new to me and I found them all quite attractive. I was only familiar with one of the soloists Michael Chance, who is truly a master Bach singer, and he was outstanding in his performance on these discs. The other soloists were excellent; I especially liked the way Caroline Stam (soprano) sang Bach; she has style and great pitch. Bach is quite difficult to sing and I have great admiration for anyone who sings it well!



In addition, we must look upon anything that Ton Koopman has put together as being authentic in every way and performed with great care and perfection. I must also make mention of the orchestra and choir who performed with skill and enthusiasm. Let's give this TEN stars!"