Angelika Kirchschlager: Bach Arias

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Andrea Marcon (Conductor), Venice Baroque Orchestra (Orchestra), Angelika Kirchschlager (Performer), Giuliano Carmignola (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Angelika Kirchschlager, Giuliano Carmignola
• Orchestra: Venice Baroque Orchestra
• Conductor: Andrea Marcon
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (October 1, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Classical
• ASIN: B00006L3OM
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #175,625 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Erfreute Zeit (Cantata No. 83)

2. Vergnugte Ruh (Cantata No. 170)

3. Schlummert Ein, Ihr Matten Augen (Cantata No. 82)

4. Nichts Kann Mich Erretten (Cantata No. 74)

5. Wo Zwei Und Drei Versammelt Sind (Cantata No. 42)

6. Herr, Was Du Willst (Cantata No. 156)

7. Erbarme Dich (St. Matthew Passion)

8. Widerstehe Doch Der Sunde (Cantata No. 54)

9. Laudamus Te (Mass in B Minor)

10. Sinfonia from Cantat No. 156

11. Bereite Dich Zion (Christmas Oratorio)

12. Wie Soll Ich Dich Empfangen (Christmas Oratorio)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rich and intelligent singing, January 1, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: Angelika Kirchschlager: Bach Arias (Audio CD)

Kirchschlager's voice is as smooth and creamy as butter, but this recording is not just about pretty sounds: Kirchschlager's singing is informed by a deep understanding of the music and the (predominantly German) text. Her phrasing and sense of musical line are impeccable. Although she's not a "baroque" singer, she blends rather well with the spiky instrumentalists of the Venice Baroque Orchestra and their soloist Carmignola, and nothing she does is stylistically inappropriate.

I don't think I've ever heard a more affecting version of the "Laudamus te" from the B-Minor Mass. I also have a recording of the full B-Minor Mass with Kirchschlager and Seiji Ozawa (which I had to order from Europe, as it's not available in the U.S.), but the "Laudamus te" is far better here on this album of arias -- probably because Kirchschlager was able to pick the tempo and make her own interpretive decisions.

This is a serious recording, and most of the selections are on the slow side, but it is one that rewards repeated listening.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extradordinary musicianship and communication, March 5, 2003

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Angelika Kirchschlager: Bach Arias (Audio CD)

Bach's arias have seldom sounded more cogent than in the lushly beautiful voice of Angelika Kirschlager. She manages to sing thses various arias with all the informed discipline of a baroque specialist but her talent takes the music much further. Without stepping out of the period she infuses these pieces with deeply felt emotional qualities. Listen to the "Erbarme dich" ("Have pity, God") and feel all the dramatic tension in this St Matthew Passion excerpt. In sensitive concert with the Venice Baroque Orchestra the "Laudamus te" from the B Minor Mass becomes as glorifying and lyrical as could be imagined. Kirschlager's ornamentation is subtle and never over-pushed. All of these attributes of this very fine recording are well demonstrated in the perfectly balanced "Vergnugte Ruh, Beliebte Seelenlust" ('Contented rest, beloved soul's desire'). Bach just doesn't get much better that the glories contained in this superb disc. Highly recommended - even if you don't like baroque music!

4.0 out of 5 stars Almost heaven, January 17, 2012

By 

William J. Finn "wjf88" (Sarasota Florida) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Angelika Kirchschlager: Bach Arias (Audio CD)

I really love Kirchschlager's singing here. This is a wonderful collection of
Bach arias from his cantatas. The fact that "Schlumert Ein" was really written
for Bass/Baritone doesn't diminish my enthusiasm. Kirchschlager simply sings it
two octaves higher. And this collection contains one of the most beautiful arias
from a cantata: Widerstehe Doch der Sunde (from cantata No. 54). The CD is really
worth it's purchase price just to hear these two selections.

But this CD does include Mr. Carmignolas' name (as violin obligato), on the cover.
Trouble is, that I mostly don't hear him (on this recording). Either the engineer
did not have him miked correctly, or else, perhaps Carmignola should have put a
steel E string on his fiddle?

But if you love the arias in Bach cantatas, or just love Bach. Then do give this CD
a listen. It is very, very good.