Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Philippe Herreweghe, Collegium Vocale Orchestra :: Bach: Weinen, Klagen - Cantates, BWV 12, 38, 75

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 06/06/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"HAUNTINGLY LOVELY MUSIC FROM BACH PERFORMED WITH EXPERTISE!



The 3 cantatas included on this disc were written in 1723 & 1724 for the Lutheran parish church of St. Thomas's in Leipzig. The texts come from Psalm 22 and Psalm 130. They deal with the "weeping, wailing, lamenting, fearing" that are our everyday fare in this vale of tears. But the ultimate message will nonetheless bring succour to souls in torment.



The first cantata "Weeping, Lamenting"BWV12 is divided into 7 sections which includes :Sinfonia-2 chorales-one aria each for countertenor,bass and tenor. This cantata is an ideal representation of 'weeping and wailing' marked as it is by a vivid chromatic descending bass line, unsteady staggering rhythm, and plaintive melody. The addition of the oboe with its reedy sound adds perfect color and character to the entire cantata. Interestingly, it contains one of Bach's grandest extended choruses.



The 2nd cantata "In Deep Distress I Cry to Thee"BWV38 has six sections which includes two chorales-one aria for tenor- and a trio for soprano,countertenor and bass. This cantata includes a most engaging Terzetto sung beautifully by Soprano,Carolyn Sampson; countertenor, Daniel Taylor and Peter Kooy, bass.



The third cantata "The Poor Shall Eat"BWV75 is divided into two parts; the first part to be sung before the sermon and the second part to be sung after the sermon. Part 1 has seven sections which include two chorals-one aria for tenor and soprano each. Part 2 includes a Sinfonia-one chorale-and one aria each for countertenor and bass.



These three cantatas contain some of Bach's most impressive and musically sophistocated textual and emotional representations. Moreover, it is Bach's obligato parts that raises these works from the purely functional to a high spiritual level.



Excellent soloists all, but most especially fine are the renditions of countertenor, Daniel Taylor and Mark Padmore, tenor. Padmore is very notable for his aria in BWV 38 "Ich Hore mitten in den leiden."(I hear amid my sorrows). The choral contributions from Collegium Vocale Gent are precise, full of energy and passion in every phrase, and the instrumental playing is superb. But one would not expect less from a recording directed by Philippe Herreweghe, who in my opinion has made the finest disc ever produced of Bach's Christmas Oratorio (1989) that is still available, at least on the Marketplace.



The recording is nicely packaged and the accompanying booklet includes pertinent information in French, English and German; the text included in the same languages."

Weeping, lamenting ... with quality

Listener | La Paz, South America Bolivia | 06/12/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The greatness of Bach is again present in these cantatas. When one thinks that, there is nothing different to listen from him, we have these surprises (the Bach's famous and mysterious "basso continuo"s have unusual colours in at least three themes of this CD; in one of the arias, the only melody seems to be the "basso continuo", strings and the oboe are important in the moment to express the affliction, the same are the soloist voices and chorus). Every Cantata is really a fantastic adventure.

About interpretation, the quality is superb, a perfect music machine. These pieces are not easy to interpret but Herreweghe and his "team" makes them magically easy, sincere and "natural". The weeping and lamenting is expressed in a paceful, reflexive, candy, delicated and clear way ... my depression is out when I listen this CD.

"