Search - Johann Bach, Johann Christoph Bach, Johann Ludwig Bach :: Bach Family Motets

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 06/02/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"PIANIST-COMEDIAN VICTOR BORGE'S IMMORTAL WORDS COME TO MIND: "I DON'T KNOW IF YOU ARE AWARE OF THE FACT THAT J.S.BACH HAD BETWEEN TWENTY AND THIRTY CHILDREN; AND I GUESS THAT GOES FOR MRS. BACH TOO!" I am certain that Victor knew that he also had more than one wife, but it makes a good comedic quote.



This recording (reissue of a 1995 disc), however, has music by J.S.Bach's cousins and great-uncle, no sons involved, not even C.P.E. be that as it may, is does bring forward to us the fact that the Bach's were no mere family, but a veritable musical dynasty. They are: Johann Bach, J.S.'s great-uncle, who lived in Erfurt, Johann Christoph Bach, J.S.'s cousiin; Johann Michael, another cousin who was also J.S.'s father-in-law, and a third cousin, Johann Ludwig.



The motets on this disc include some great music, and it receives excellent performances from the Clare College Choir, Cambridge, (Tim Brown,director) which do it full justice. The opening 'LIEBER HERR GOTT'(Dearest Lord God) is rather short, but quite interesting because of its rhythmic and harmonic content that leads to a satisfying affirmative conclusion.



Probably, the piece with the most interest is the motet 'UNSER LEBEN IST EIN SCHATTEN'(Our life is a shadow)by Johann Bach, the earlist composer on this disc. The 'shadowy' aspect of this piece is brought out by scattered light-sounding duets in the solo voices and sudden pauses. The vocal writing has a profound sense of color, but is somewhat annoying when it comes to an abrupt end.



There are only two pieces here by Johann Ludwig : 'UNSERE TRUBSAL'(For our slight affliction), which begins at a slow pace with a repeated expressive opening phrase. The large middle section contains vocal writing of considerable athleticism, a quality that appears again in the dancing finale of his 'DAS IST MEINE FREUDE'(But it is good for me).



There are in all eleven motets, some more memorable than others, but all well implemented by the twenty-four voices of the Clare College Choir, with its finely trained young voices. There is an American countertenor that is in the group, who has since become a notable performer as a male alto, especially in the area of Handel Operas: Lawrence Zazzo, and it is no surprise that he is featured frequently on this recording as one of the soloists. He hails from Philadelphia, Pa. (not far from me), and I take great pride that he has risen to the top of his profession,though he studied in England during his college years. But, no matter, for his voice is rich and full and really similar to that of the British countertenor (unmatched by any other) Michael Chance. The choir is capably accompanied intermittently by Theorbo,Bass Violin and organ



I have several recordings of this choir and I have enjoyed all of them through the years. They are skilled in all the ways that a good choir should be: buoyant moving ahead tone quality, clear clean sound with good diction, dyanamics varied and interesting and expressive. Can't go wrong with this one!"