J.S. Bach: Cantatas, Vol. 1

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Ton Koopman (Conductor), Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir
• Conductor: Ton Koopman
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (August 5, 2003)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 3
• Label: Challenge Classics
• ASIN: B00009WKIG
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,207 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Erato Now Gone, Let's Begin Again with Koopman's Cantatas, January 17, 2005

By 

terse (and to the point) reviews (Arkansas, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: J.S. Bach: Cantatas, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

Anyone interested in these cantatas has likely discovered that they had been begun under the Erato label in the early 90's and were discontinued after volume 12, disconcerting some. Ton Koopman, unabashed, obtained his own label, continuing the series (which is planned to finish at volume 22), even returning to the early volumes in re-issues under the new Challenge Classics covering. This volume is the first re-issue and parallels the new releases in the series.

A side note for those who want only the sacred cantatas: volumes 4 & 5 are composed entirely of the secular cantatas.

The tempi have been slowed slightly from the original Erato releases, but, have no fear, Koopman knows what he is doing. "Ich hatte viel Bekummernis" alone is worth the money, and Kai Wessel's counter-tenor is a treat throughout. Reformed Protestant theology, the counterpoint of Bach, and the wonder of the Baroque era, all contribute to a series to which the initiate will turn often for pleasure.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ton Koopman is a genius!, October 30, 2010

By 

Jason Goodwin (Buffalo, NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: J.S. Bach: Cantatas, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

Anyone who has been following Ton Koopman's interpretations of J.S. Bach's works over the years knows that Koopman is probably one of the best (if not the best) in the business. The man has mostly focused his music on the Baroque era, and has rarely gone later than Mozart.

With that said, after purchasing this volume on iTunes, I was certainly not disappointed in making this purchase. Koopman once again displays his conducting prowess with the release of this recording. Granted, it is long, but that is to be expected when dealing with a highly prolific and gifted composer like Bach was.

While I am not a musicologist by any means like some of my fellow reviewers are, I can at least appreciate the lifetime of devotion that Koopman has made with regard to music. It should come as no surprise to anyone that he received the Order of the Netherlands Lion in April 2003 for his contributions to music, and this recording is yet another fine example of why he received that prestigious award.

4 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars simply magnificent, September 16, 2007

By 

Gregory J. Drasler "Greg Drasler" (New York, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: J.S. Bach: Cantatas, Vol. 1 (Audio CD)

The tensile presence juxtaposed in these recordings with the full throated power and resonance of the music makes this recording a treasure. It transends time.