Search - Klaus Mertens, Johann Sebastian Bach, Barbara Schlick :: J.S. Bach: 57 Sacred Songs from Georg Christian Schemellis 'Musicalisches Gesang-Buch / Barbara Schlick (CPO)

A good introduction to Bach's little-known hymns

Joseph A. Newsome | Burlington, NC United States | 05/30/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When a provincial German music director (Georg Christian Schemilli) decided to compile a hymnbook for distribution at Easter fairs throughout upper Germany in 1735, he turned to many composers to contribute melodic settings of the 954 hymn texts presented. Johann Sebastien Bach provided at least 68 of these melodies, at least 59 of which were thus presented in the compiled hymnbook. The wonderful recording company CPO has here compiled all but 12 of these hymns composed by Bach, and presents them on two very well-filled CD's--at a wonderful price. Baroque specialist Bob van Asperen provides the accompaniment on harpsichord and organ. He plays with admirable restraint, and underlines the melodic beauties of these songs with obvious love for Bach's music. Cellist Wouter Moeller provides an ample ground-bass. Soprano Barbara Schlick and baritone Klaus Mertens, while not the most prodigiously-gifted vocalists, fill Bach's melodies with appropriate gestures at liturgical meaning. Schlick, in particular, is very effective in No. 48, "Jesu, meines Herzens Freud" (BMV 473, CD2 track 9). Mertens uses his straight tone and typical incisiveness to great effect in the organ accompanied "Nur mein Jesus ist mein Leben." Musically, the songs are surprisingly rewarding. The influence of Schutz and the late German Renaissance are firmly displayed throughout, but many of the songs distinctly bear the mark of Bach's melodic and harmonic inspiration. Even in these small works, Bach achieves remarkable moments of fervour and genuinely-felt religious devotion. As it is, a better introduction to these miniature masterworks is hardly imaginable. A great bargain, and a must-have for all true lovers of Bach's sacred works."