J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio / Gardiner [Arias and Choruses] [Import]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Artist), The English Baroque Soloists (Artist), Anne Sofie von Otter (Artist), Nancy Argenta (Artist), Olaf Bär (Artist), Hans Peter Blochwitz (Artist), John Eliot Gardiner (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 12, 1989)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: Archiv Prod Import
• ASIN: B0000057DH
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #60,602 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a voice teacher and early music fan, October 25, 2011

By 

George Peabody "Ariel" (U.S.A.) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: J.S. Bach: Christmas Oratorio / Gardiner [Arias and Choruses] (Audio CD)

MONTEVERDI CHOIR 'SHINES' IN THIS 1987 PERFORMANCE OF BACH'S CHRISTMAS ORATORIO!

J.S. Bach (1685-1750) created his Christmas Oratorio during 1734 for performance in church over the ensuing Christmas period. It consists of six cantatas that between them tell the story of the Nativity, and the events of the following week or so.

Although the six cantatas are designed to be performed on separate days from Christmas Day to Epiphany, it does not necessarily follow that they are unconnected. Bach must have composed the work continuously and there are many, sometimes obvious, sometimes subtle connections between separate parts. And there is, of course, the obvious link in the Evangelist's narrative, which is based on the gospel readings of the season.

Gardiner employed a large choir in this 1987 recording: nine sopranos, five altos, seven tenors and five basses. And it is from their excellent singing guided by Gardiner's ability to engage them inspirationally and skillfully, that marks this rendition as outstanding, certainly not the soloists. The choir sings powerfully, displaying clear precise diction, though some of the tempos, while exciting to the listener, certainly challenged the choir's ability to be understood, and they pass the test! Moreover, the tone quality is buoyant, always moving forward; the balance excellent as each part can be heard clearly and it all fits neatly together. The instrumental accompaniment by the English Baroque Soloists produce a 'bright' sound and do an outstanding job of matching the emotional investment of the choir.

And it is in this final aspect that the soloists fall short, for they seem lackluster in their arias and recitatives, though they are adequate without error but to me are very disappointing except for bass Olaf Bar and soprano Nancy Argenta, who at times seem to wake up and give us a bit of excitement. Of course, this is my reaction, but if you listen to some of the soloists featured in the Herrweghe or the Pickett recording of this work, you may come up with the same conclusion. The other two soloists are tenor Hans-Peter Blochwitz and alto Anne Sofie von Otter.

On this CD there are 19 excerpts from the original 64 selections of the complete work: nine choruses - one soprano solo and duet with the bass Olaf Bar; two alto solos; three tenor solos, two bass solos and Sinfonie in G major (instrumental). The complete program is listed under the recording. One has to question whether one should purchase these excerpts. for in my judgemnt you only get a small portion of the Monteverdi Choir's contribution; however, it does include the large choral numbers, so it's all up to you. But certainly I would check on prices for the entire work if you do not own it, and if you do not, it might be prudent to check the Herrweghe, Pickett or Ledger. But you are the only judge for you, so go for it!