Search - Peter Kooy, Barbara Schlick, Gérard Lesne :: J.S. Bach: The Most Beautiful Cantatas

A great example of Herreweghe's mastery of Bach

hcf | 12/13/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 5-CD set collects some of the best recordings of Bach cantatas available on disc. The title "The most beautiful cantatas" is undoubtedly subjective (other people might come up with a different list of the most beautiful cantatas), but the name behind this subjectivity is Herreweghe himself. He has been quoted as saying that he records only the works he likes the most. So, these are Herreweghe's favorite cantatas, and he does a wonderful job of making sure that they become our favorite cantatas as well. These are not new releases - the same cantatas are available on separate CD's. But buying them together makes sense. Besides, it is a safe bet. Chances that you'd get disapponted are next to nil. Herreweghe's conducting is sensitive and nuanced. The voices in the chorus are well-matched and accompanied by a skilled period orchestra. The soloists on each CD are trusted specialists. In fact, I'll list them, since Amazon doesn't currently provide these details. CD1 Cantates pour alto - well, no mention needed, Andreas Scholl, of course. CD2 Cantates pour basse - Peter Kooy (the same guy whose name is variously misspelled as Kooj or something even stranger). CD3 Cantates BWV 21 & 42 - SATBB Barbara Schick, Gerard Lesne, Howard Crook, Peter Harvey, Peter Kooy. CD4 Cantates 8, 125, 138 - SATB Deborah York, Ingeborg Danz, Mark Padmore, Peter Kooy. CD5 Cantates 198 & 78 - SATB Ingrid Schmithusen, Charles Brett, Howard Crook, Peter Kooy. Happy listening! gkolomietz@yahoo.com"

The Most Beautifully PERFORMED Cantatas!

hcf | 08/05/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"When I saw the title, I cringed, but when I saw the cantatas selected, I bought it immediately. And to my taste, these are not only some of the most beautiful cantatas, but also some of the most beautifully performed cantatas I've heard. Herreweghe is, quite simply, a genius. Each cantata performance is crafted with reverence and care. The selection of the artists is impeccable. Andreas Scholl is remarkable in both Cantata 170 and 54. Peter Kooy is transcendent in Ich habe genug. The engineering is also outstanding. If you don't know Cantata 8 (Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben), you're in for a new treat. The acoustic and balances of all the recordings allow the intricate counterpoint and harmonic fabric to clearly shine through. If you haven't discovered this Bach series on Harmonia Mundi, and you love Bach, you MUST hear this. Watch out, though...I had to get others in the series immediately!"