Customer Reviews

Bach Cantatas, Vol. 21: Cambridge/Walpole St. Peter

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My reviews, on this board, to the Gardiner Bach Pilgrimage, are, I know, becoming rather redundant. Thus far, I only have an abundance of praise for Gardiner and his forces' endeavors! Per usual the Monteverdi Choir and the English Baroque Soloist are superb.

To me this seventh release of the series (actually volume 21) finds J.S. Bach at his very peak. In fact, BMW 22 & 23 on the first disc were used by Johann as "audition material" when he applied for the cantorship position at Leipzig's St. Thomas's church. . I'm sure those two cantatas must have "knocked the socks off" of the "selection committee" because they are truly glorious works! (Proof is, of course, that he got the job and maintained it for more than twenty years!) Bach's writings for the chorus and for the orchestra, in Volume 21, is particularly awesome--listen to the opening "Arioso" for tenor. Bass and chorus of BMV 22 on the first disc -it's gorgeous. Also listen to tract seven on the second disc--another wonderful chorus! Once again, the soloists too are outstanding

Nathalie Stuzmann, alto on the second disc is wonderful in the solo cantata BMW 54. Likewise, James Gilchrist is again outstanding in his tenor solos--listen to tracts 6&16--outstanding!

Do read the wonderful notes in the album for the religious connotations of the works in this volume. Again I must refer you to the previous reviewer for his exemplary overview of the contents of Volume 21.

I wish that I could make my review more interesting by having something negative to say; however, I can't find anything negative to say. So just listen to this album and you will find dear Johann at his compositional peak!

The pilgramage continues with the latest installment Volume 21. Gardiner's interpretations are brilliant as ever and the works chosen for Volume 21 are equally bright. This disc set is a must to add to your pilgramage collection or if not to begin the pilgramage here. Listed below are the cantatas named with corresponding BWV number (since Amazon has yet to list them at the time of this brief review).

Cantata herein:

Disc 1

BWV 22 - Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe

BWV 23 - Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn

BWV 127 - Herr Jesu Christ, wahr' Mensch und Gott

BWV 159 - Sehet! Wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem

Disc 2

BWV 182 - Himmelskönig, sei willkommen (for Palm Sunday / Annunciation)

BWV 54 - Widerstehe doch der Sünde (for the Third Sunday in Lent - Oculi) (Nathalie Stutzmann solo Alto)

BWV 1 - Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (for the Feast of the Annunciation)

Happy Pilgrimage!

Having bought vol. 24 two years ago while in the U.K., I decided to give Amazon a try with two other Volumes of the Bach cantatas.

Not having used Amazon before I was apprehensive. But the purchasing process was straightforeward, and I was delighted to get the package here in Malawi only a few weeks later.

And the music! How could such a busy and evidently lovely man have had the time to produce such a huge amount of bliss! Church music that makes you want to get up and dance!

I am now counting my pennies to try to acquire the whole set.

Bill Hill

Prof. of Architecture,

Malawi.

Perhaps the excitement of performing before the Prince of Wales in his own parish church deserves the credit, but this is my favorite volume so far of the Gardiner pilgrimage to perform all the Bach cantatas on the appropriate dates. The whole series is wonderfully lively and Gardiner's interpretations are always interesting, but none of the other releases so far have combined such well-rehearsed instrumental performance, such splendid soloists matched with arias perfect for their voices, and such glorious composing even by Bach's standards. Buy it now !

As usual, Gardiner and the Monteverdi Choir perform outstanding level as other bach cantatas series, which are same as other reviewers description. So that I just want to add more my comments on some signers, who are worth paying more attention.

Ruth Holton, she fully show bright and silent voices in BWV127, like a angel, you could get peace mood from her to forget anything unhappiness; Nathalie Stutzmann, sign the borad range of alto to get high level of music expression, you could get good satisfaction in BWV54 to enjoy her stable power to touch inner.

Gardiner, again get the excellent achievement from this.