The Bach Cantatas

[Franco]

This cycle is new to me:

Kuijken Bach Cantatas series

Here's a blurb from BBC magazine earlier this year:

"...a profoundly impressive achievement... liberating performances inhabiting a language of elevated perception and intimacy. Rarely can a single-voiced chorus have sounded so warm and integrated." Gramophone Magazine, August 2008

"Sigiswald Kuijken is gently ploughing his own furrow in a mini-series with modest forces and intimate conceits. The performances here of Cantatas BWV1, 18 and 23 are extraordinarily refined, coherent and perceptive. This is Bach stripped bare, but rapt." Gramophone Magazine

"The sonority of the early BWV 18 is inspired - initially four violas and continuo, with flutes added a decade later. The dark timbre is lightened by authentic high pitch, in a gloriously enveloping SACD acoustic; the opening concerto-like sinfonia is captivating. Soloists are admirable throughout." BBC Music Magazine, January 2009 ****

Also the website, Presto Classical, is new to me, but looks pretty interesting, too - although I usually don't order from overseas outlets.

[Opus106]

Also the website, Presto Classical, is new to me, but looks pretty interesting, too - although I usually don't order from overseas outlets.

I have ordered from them twice, and there has been nothing to complain about their service. Also, their shipping works out really good especially if you buy boxes. (Averages to 1-2 Pounds per item to anywhere in the world.)

EDIT: Just noticed that they have slightly upped the shipping charges.

[71 dB]

Listened to BCJ/Suzuki volume 36 today. It was very interesting to read about violoncello piccolo and viola pomposa that J. S. Bach might have invented according to some documents. I am constantly amazed by the fact how much these cantatas give instrumental problems/challenges performing them properly.

[robnewman]

The supernatural talent of Bach in this unassuming duet from one of his wonderful cantatas.  

J.S. Bach
Duet,  'Ich fürchte {zwar, nicht} des Grabes Finsternissen"
Cantata, 'Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen'
BWV 66/5

http://www.mediafire.com/?w2tt1z2kdym

Alto: Paul Esswood
Tenor: Kurt Equiluz
Collegium Vocale
Teldec

[Marc]

The supernatural talent of Bach in this unassuming duet from one of his wonderful cantatas.  

J.S. Bach
Duet,  'Ich fürchte {zwar, nicht} des Grabes Finsternissen"
Cantata, 'Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen'
BWV 66/5

http://www.mediafire.com/?w2tt1z2kdym

Alto: Paul Esswood
Tenor: Kurt Equiluz
Collegium Vocale
Teldec

Beautiful piece indeed.

But I don't hear:
- Paul Esswood
- Kurt Equiluz
- Collegium Vocale [duetto; no choir included ]
So: probably no Teldec production.

I do hear though:
- Kai Wessel
- James Taylor
- a BWV 66 duetto of the studio recording of Herreweghe c.s.
Which is a Harmonia Mundi production.

[robnewman]

Yes Marc !

You are absolutely right ! Thanks. My labelling of individual tracks is far from perfect. Must do a complete sort out of so much material. These cantatas are simply amazing, yes ? The harmonic inventiveness and majesty of Bach's music is indescribably wonderful. 

J.S. Bach
Duet
'Jesus ist gefunden'
Cantata 154
Mein liebster Jesus ist verloren
BWV 154/7

http://www.mediafire.com/?ohm4jymyahg

[Marc]

These cantatas are simply amazing, yes? The harmonic inventiveness and majesty of Bach's music is indescribably wonderful.

I don't have a thorough grounding in music to say something 'definite' about Bach that would disclose his music's secret. But something special happened to me at the age of 12 or 13, when I first heard music of Bach, and it has been happening until today.

And my special moments with Bach's music will go on till death do us part.

[robnewman]

Hi there Marc,

Me too.

''She played Bach. I do not know the names of the pieces, but I recognized the stiff ceremonial of the frenchified little German courts and the sober, thrifty comfort of the burghers, and the dancing on the village green, the green trees that looked like Christmas trees, and the sunlight on the wide German country, and a tender cosiness; and in my nostrils there was a warm scent of the soil and I was conscious of a sturdy strength that seemed to have its roots deep in mother earth, and of an elemental power that was timeless and had no home in space''. (W. Somerset Maugham, 'The Alien Corn').

[Marc]

Hi there Marc,

Me too.

''She played Bach. I do not know the names of the pieces, but I recognized the stiff ceremonial of the frenchified little German courts and the sober, thrifty comfort of the burghers, and the dancing on the village green, the green trees that looked like Christmas trees, and the sunlight on the wide German country, and a tender cosiness; and in my nostrils there was a warm scent of the soil and I was conscious of a sturdy strength that seemed to have its roots deep in mother earth, and of an elemental power that was timeless and had no home in space''. (W. Somerset Maugham, 'The Alien Corn').

.... still, no words could describe what was really happening deep inside of me ....

But some writers come close in slightly touching it .... your quotation of Somerset Maugham is one of the beautiful tranquil examples, I think.

[robnewman]

This whole cantata is so beautiful in every way. No. 111. One of my favourites (along with dozens of others !!!). An excerpt in this duet.

J.S. Bach
Duetto
Cantata 111
BWV 111/4

Annette Markert/Christoph Prégardien
Ton Koopman - Dir.
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Complete Bach Cantatas Vol. 12
Erato

http://www.mediafire.com/?f3mnojjoka4

[robnewman]

Not forgetting -

Cantata 11
Chorale Finale

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDWeTVbkft8&feature=related

[robnewman]

J.S. Bach
Cantata 137
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
BWV 137/1-2

1. Coro: Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren
2. Aria (Alto): Lobe den Herren, der alles so herrlich regieret

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki6nOD3_2yw&feature=related

and -

3. Aria (Soprano, Basso): Lobe den Herren, der künstlich und fein dich bereitet
4. Aria (Tenore): Lobe den Herren, der deinen Stand sichtbar gesegnet
5. Chorale: Lobe den Herren, was in mir ist, lobe den Namen!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mYFwMIrbK_I&feature=related

/
Donna Brown, soprano
Ingeborg Danz, alto
James Taylor, tenor
Michael Volle, bass
Gächinger Kantorei Stuttgart
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart
Helmuth Rilling, conductor

(Recorded 1998)

[Antoine Marchand]

I'm not very fond of the Suzuki's cycle, but I'm sure this will make many people happy:

"To celebrate the achievements of its premier baroque ensemble, BIS Records has reissued the first 40 volumes of Bach Collegium Japan's magnificent Bach Cantatas series in 4 lavish, limited-edition boxed sets".

[71 dB]

I'm not very fond of the Suzuki's cycle,

I am fond of it and Suzuki's cycle will probably be the only one I will ever buy (I already have almost all of the first 40 volumes.)

[Antoine Marchand]

I am fond of it and Suzuki's cycle will probably be the only one I will ever buy (I already have almost all of the first 40 volumes.)

Without any doubt Suzuki is a great director, who understands deeply this music.

I have not any argument against him, but a totally subjective preference for Leonhardt/Harnoncourt and the Koopman's cycle.  

[Opus106]

I'm not very fond of the Suzuki's cycle, but I'm sure this will make many people happy:

"To celebrate the achievements of its premier baroque ensemble, BIS Records has reissued the first 40 volumes of Bach Collegium Japan's magnificent Bach Cantatas series in 4 lavish, limited-edition boxed sets".

Wonderful news! Thanks, Antoine. They've still go a little under 20 volumes to go, right? (My count is based on the fact that the Leonhardt/Harnoncourt set contains 60 CDs)

[71 dB]

Wonderful news! Thanks, Antoine. They've still go a little under 20 volumes to go, right? (My count is based on the fact that the Leonhardt/Harnoncourt set contains 60 CDs)

The cycle isn't finished, not even close! BIS has released 43 volumes so far out of ~60. Now, they release the first 40 volumes in four 10 volumes sets (if I understood correctly.).

[71 dB]

Without any doubt Suzuki is a great director, who understands deeply this music.

I have not any argument against him, but a totally subjective preference for Leonhardt/Harnoncourt and the Koopman’s cycle.  

I have never heard Leonhardt or Harnoncourt doing Bach cantatas. Suzuki cycle is multichannel SACD from volume 28. That is a big plus!

[robnewman]

To my dear friends in the USA -

J.S. Bach
Cantata 198
Final Movements

Aria - "Der Ewigkeit saphines Haus"
Recit - "Was Wunder ist",
Chorus - "Doch, Königin!",
Howard Crook, Tenor
Peter Kooy, Bass
La Chapelle Royale
Philippe Herreweghe

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7V_Dxpq4nY&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dgpJeLBqXVg&feature=related

[Coopmv]

Without any doubt Suzuki is a great director, who understands deeply this music.

I have not any argument against him, but a totally subjective preference for Leonhardt/Harnoncourt and the Koopman's cycle.  

My Harnoncourt's set is still in its cellophane since it arrived from MDT in early February.  I prefer to listen to Bach Cantatas during the coldest months of the winter.