Thanks, Archiv...
Izolda | North Haven, CT United States | 04/01/2000
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This CD opens a series of 12 releases (to appear on a monthly basis until November 2000) with selected Bach's cantatas performed by various soloists and The Monteverdi Choir/English Baroque Soloists under Sir John Eliot Gardiner. To celebrate the 250th anniversary of the death of Johann Sebastian Bach, Gardiner prepared his own cantatas project called: "Bach Cantata Pilgrimage" that will "feature performances of all Bach's surviving church cantatas within a single year at a variety of churches throughout Europe (as well as three concerts in New York bringing the Pilgrimage to its conclusion) on the feast days for which they were composed" (from the advertising leaflet). After having listened to this first release, I am deeply grateful to Archiv Produktion that "Cantata Pilgrimage" cycle will be limited to only 12 CD, though originally it was planned as a COMPLETE CANTATAS PROJECT! I do not know about other Bach fans, but I am certainly not ready to face yet another complete cantatas project, especially recorded by "authentists". Koopman's boring production is coming to an end - to me, Koopman's cycle will always be an example of a dry music making , dictated by scholarship rather than musical instincts (but what an organist he is!). Suzuki's are much more balanced recordings - they are beautifully played and sung and the commitment of all the artists is never in doubt. Here again, some "scholarly" touches mar the final effect - Suzuki's tempi follow the general "quickish" trend, but somehow they are not breathless and thoughtless and don't bother me as they do in some other recordings. I enjoy a lot Philippe Herreweghe's releases of selected cantatas and sometimes regret that Harmonia Mundi did not embark on the "complete cantatas" project with this conductor. Gardiner's cycle on "Archiv" is no surprise and, as we might expect, he choses a spledid "historical" setting for his Pilgrimage: year 2000 and Bach's death's anniversary. Will it work as an excuse for yet another extensive cantatas series? All depends on the quality of Gardiner's releases, and this first installment does not make the whole project look promising. I was struck by a particularly limp choral singing, affecting greatly the clarity of vocal lines and the pleasure of listening. The soloists are much more impressive, Bernarda Fink with her marvellous voice particularly pleasing the ear. Male soloists give good performances (Mark Padmore especially so), but Michael Chance's voice sounds uneven and sometimes quite unpleasant. One more thing - this CD's total playing time is only 48 MINUTES. I understand that there may be some logical justification for putting only two cantatas on one disc (both are for Easter Monday), but doesn't such a short playing time call for a lower price? Such a price would be encouraging to numerous Bach fans who still hesitate before embarking on another "Collecting Bach Cantatas" project. I do not want to discourage anybody, especially those who want to start a collection: Gardiner's survey is quite extensive and will be completed within a year. It will also be more affordable than Suzuki or Koopman and in many ways, more enjoyable than the latter. Gardiner's fans (I am among them though not always for his Bach) will certainly want to give this new release a try and may find much more to enjoy in it than I did. If I were to decide about a new Bach cantatas project I would like to see an "old-fashioned" series, similar in quality and artistic commitment to the achievement of Marriner on his marvellous disc with Janet Baker and John Shirley Quirk. But who would like to do it?"
Room for 1 more Cantata
Classical Lover | Connecticut | 09/03/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"If there were only 48 minutes on the CD, there would have been room for another great Cantata "Der Himmel Lacht!" BWV 31.That has Trumpet and Timpani Obliggato and is wonderful!Maybe in the future?"
Track Listings (12) - Disc #1