Bach: Cantatas for Ascension DayAmazon.com
John Eliot Gardiners original Millennium Bach Cantata Pilgrimage plan involved weekly Deutsche Grammophon recordings of all the concerts, but the plan did not prove practical. This CD of Bachs Ascension Day cantatas dates from 1993 and 1999. The pride of the disc is BWV11: The opening chorus is an adrenaline fix of blazing, suitably ascending motifs led by studio-immaculate baroque trumpets. Thereafter, the mood changes. The alto aria "Ach bleibe" (actually the great Agnus Dei from the
Mass in BMinor) is, in countertenor Michael Chances silky throat (1993 model), a poignant, drooping song of sorrow for the departed Lord. Chances 1993 fellow soloists are Nancy Argenta, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, and Stephen Varcoe. They sing BWV43 (
Gott fhret auf) and BWV37 (
Wer da glubet) with clear enjoyment. Argenta also sings in the 1999 session for BWV128,
Auf Christi Himmelfahrt with colleagues Robin Blaze, Stefan Genz, and Reinhard Hagen. The latter has a low Fsharp that is truly bearded.
--Rick JonesRate Points :5.0
Binding :Audio CD
Label :Archiv Produktion
Manufacturer :Archiv Produktion
MPN :463583
ProductGroup :Music
Studio :Archiv Produktion
Publisher :Archiv Produktion
UPC :028946358320
EAN :0028946358320
Price :$16.98USD
Lowest Price :$11.36USD
Customer ReviewsBrilliant! Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :3 Absolutely, stunningly, mind-blowingly brilliant. If you want a great cantata record, this is IT, even more so than the Gardiner pairing of The Big Two BWV140 and 147. Like the 140/147 pairing, these were recorded before the Cantata Pilgrimage of 2000, so are not the live recordings (hopefully soon to appear on Gardiners SDG label). BWV 11 is especially marvellous, and worth having because it may not appear in the SDG set (some cantata editions omit BWV 11 because they consider it a separate "oratorio", rather than a cantata). However, Gardiner is including BWV 190, also omitted by many cantata editions because the first two movements are reconstructions, so Im hopeful that BWV 11 will appear in SDG form. If not, this one is great. The other cantatas are also wonderful. Arise, go forth and buy, and enjoy the sublime genius of one of the worlds great composers.
Endless Ascension Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :14 This disk is the pentiultimate release in John Eliot Gardiners glorious return to the Bach Cantatas. Gardiner has embarked on a visionary "Bach Cantata Pilgrimage" in which he shall conduct every sacred cantata, every Sunday in various churches throughout Europe. 12 disks in all are scheduled for release, of which this disk, to date, is the crown. For those who are avid Cantata collectors, you will remember Gardiners early-90s milestones -- with the same soloists. No soprano is more radiant in Bach than Argenta, the cool opulence of Chances counter-tenor is the exact center of the boy/male alto/contralto controversy, and A. Rolfe-Johnson and Varcoe are simply the most sensitive while still virile voices today. Simply thrilling. (Special note: Robin Blaze, countertenor, does a great job on his solos and we expect great things from him). Other highlights are, as always, the flawless choral and (period-instrument) orchestral playing at wind-swept tempi, and we are particularly grateful for the length of the disk (4 cantatas, nearly 80 minutes of music).
a voice teacher and early music fan Rating Point :5 Helpful Point :3 FOUR INSPIRATIONAL CANTATAS REFLECTING BACHS LIFE AND FAITH
Bach wrote his most sublime music for the Church. His first Ascension Day in Leipzig was Thursday May 1724,for which he wrote "Wer da glaubit und getauft wird"BWV37,in which he focuses not on the Ascension story but on the words of Jesus: He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. This cantata opens with a Chorus followed by a Tenor Aria followed by a beautifully sung chorale featuring Soprano and Countertenor then a Bass recitative and aria and ending with a Chorale.
BWV128 "Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein"(On Christs Ascension Alone) focuses on the eternal implications of Jesus Ascension for the baptized believer. The sections are as follows: Opening Chorus-Tenor recitatime-Bass aria and recitative-an exciting duet featuring countertenor and tenor-ending with a lovely chorale.
In the cantata Gott Fahret auf mit Jauchzen (God has gone up with a shout) Bach set his two-part text based on Psalm 47:5-6 and Mark 16:19. This was partly a token of gratitude to his earthly monarch the King and Elector ,Augustus II this is a joyful setting of praises to the King of Kings. This is actually my favorite of all four because of the variety of vocal conributions which are: Chorus-Tenor recitative and Aria-soprano recitative and aria -bass recitative and aria- countertenor recitative and aria followed by the closing chorale.
In the Ascension Oratorio "Lobet Gott in seinem Reichen" (Praise God in his His riches),the tenor Evangelist sings a compilation of passages from Luke 24:50-2,Acts 1:9-12 and Mark 16:19, which provides a story line joining the remaining movements, three of which are parodied from pre-existent material.
Four cantatas for Ascension Day, each a cameo of Bachs life-experience and faith-from the optimism of the early Leipzig years to the brokeness of a decade later from a joyful acclamation that the baptized believer will be saved, to a yearning for the appearance of the Ascended One. This disc is truly the epitome of Gardiners Bach series and is a musical treasure. As with all of Gardiners efforts the performance is excellent and the soloists are superb. Nancy Argento,soprano-Michael Chance & Robin Blaze (countertenors)-Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor)-Stephen Varcoe and Reinhard Hagen (bass). We too are uplifted by this lovely music of Bach.