Bach Cantatas / Matthias Gorne - Albrecht Mayer · Camerata Academia Salzburg · Sir Roger Norrington

Matthias Görne (Artist), Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Roger Norrington (Conductor), Camerata Academia Salzburg (Orchestra), Albrecht Mayer (Performer), Rainer Schmidt (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Albrecht Mayer, Rainer Schmidt
• Orchestra: Camerata Academia Salzburg
• Conductor: Roger Norrington
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (April 11, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Uni/Decca
• ASIN: B000024XAK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #225,690 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Bach's music for the solo bass voice carries particular associations--in the St. John Passion and St. Matthew Passion, it is the bass who represents the voice of Christ, accompanied even in the recitatives by a warm glow of strings. And one of Bach's most popular cantatas, the sublime Ich habe genug (BWV 82--included on this recording), is intended for bass. Any singer, therefore, who is brave enough to tackle the three mighty bass cantatas by the great Johann Sebastian must possess a remarkable sense of gravitas as well as a beautiful voice and rock-solid technique. Fortunately, Matthias Goerne combines all three in one package, and even manages to do so with a remarkable lack of pomposity. These are intelligent, sensitive, and understated readings of the cantatas, which capture something of Bach's profound response to the narratives of grief and suffering that they present. Roger Norrington conducts the accompanying period ensemble with characteristic warmth and lack of show. Also included are a couple of delightful orchestral sinfonias from another cantata, BWV 35, making this a gem of a recording. --Warwick Thompson

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Glorious, July 15, 2000

By 

Michael K. Halloran - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach Cantatas / Matthias Gorne - Albrecht Mayer · Camerata Academia Salzburg · Sir Roger Norrington (Audio CD)

It seems that a decent baritone can be found nearly anywhere nowadays, but a truly magnificent one is a rare phenomenon. That's why it is such a joy to discover this disc of Matthias Goerne singing three of Bach's solo cantatas for bass. Simply put, this is the best recording of these cantatas that I have ever heard.

Mr. Goerne combines a really beautiful voice (his opening phrase in "Ich habe genug" will make your heart stop) with intelligent, subtle word-pointing (not suprising, being a student of both Fischer-Dieskau and Schwarzkopf). His singing is both poignantly human and reverently spiritual, exactly right for this music, which is some of Bach's finest.

Sir Roger Norrington conducts with an unerring sense of line and phrasing, and Camerata Academica Salzburg play with a warmth and transparency that is wholly engaging. Special mention must be made of oboist Albrecht Mayer's haunting solo lines in BWV 82, the best I've heard them played.

If you are unfamiliar with Mr. Goerne, I strongly urge you to hear this disc for yourself and succumb to the artistry of one of the finest young baritones in classical music today.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another superb German baritone, August 6, 2001

By 

klavierspiel "klavierspiel" (TX, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bach Cantatas / Matthias Gorne - Albrecht Mayer · Camerata Academia Salzburg · Sir Roger Norrington (Audio CD)

On the evidence of recent CDs I've encountered, the musical world seems to be in the midst of a renaissance of superbly trained lower male voices. Matthias Goerne is yet another notable singer who has, at least so far, concentrated on the oratorio and song repertory. The current disc includes familiar solo cantatas, particularly #82, with its beautiful lullaby "Schlummert ein," and less familiar music, all nobly sung and expressively enunciated. Goerne's facility with the frequent florid passagework in the arias is particularly impressive. Accompaniments throughout are expertly played as well. I'm certainly looking forward to hearing more from this performer.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful rendition of Bach's baritone cantatas, February 9, 2001

By 

Bruno Manz (Albuquerque, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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This review is from: Bach Cantatas / Matthias Gorne - Albrecht Mayer · Camerata Academia Salzburg · Sir Roger Norrington (Audio CD)

This is the most beautiful rendition of three of Bach's solo cantatas I have ever heard. Immediately the beginning of the cantata "Ich habe genug," is a rare spiritual experience. This is the aria of the same title, first beautifully intoned by the oboe, then sung by Goerne the way Bach schould be sung. He has not only a beautiful voice and a diction of German which is as clear as it is warm, but, most important, he has the "Innigkeit" that is so characteristic of Bach's religious music. There are so many beautiful moments on this record, that I find it hard to name the most beautiful one. but when I am pressed, I would say it is the aria "Schlummert ein, ihr matten Augen," (Slumber now, you weary eyes). It is sublime. It is a high point of european music. A great musical accomplishment by all, including conductor Sir Roger Norrington. Please, give us more such treats.