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BIS

Bach: Cantatas Vol 2 / Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan

Baroque Spiritual Virtuosic Uplifting Dramatic
$21.99

Details

Composer
BACH, J.S.
Artist
Midori, Masaaki, Suzuki, Peter, Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan, Kooy
Format
CD
Label
BIS
Released
Feb 01, 1996
Catalog #
BIS-CD-781
UPC
7318590007815

About


My enthusiasm for Volume 1 in the Bach Collegium Japan's cycle of Bach's cantatas continues here in a program that includes a work (BWV 131) based on conductor Masaaki Suzuki's favorite psalm, number 130. (In the notes to the first volume Suzuki candidly declares how important his Christian convictions are to his interpretations, and describes his relationship to Bach as "fellows in faith"). Though thematically based on the depths and multitudes of sin, Bach's settings here are not entirely solemn--nor are Suzuki's spirited renderings. The opening selection, Gott ist mein König, begins with a striking choral "Gott!" followed by enough resounding brass and percussion to simultaneously excite the layman and instill joyous consolation among the faithful. Bass Peter Kooy's more somber though equally compelling fourth-movement aria "Tag und Nacht ist dein" couldn't be more lovely; as the singer muses over God's omniscient reach, he's partnered by a lingering melody that anticipates the composer's famous Sinfonia in C. Likewise countertenor Yoshikazu Mera shines in his brief aria "Durch mächtige Kraft", accompanied only by a trio of trumpet, organ, and timpani.


Arguably one of Bach's most angst-ridden cantatas, Aus der Tiefe rufe ich Herr, zu dir gets a reading that equals if not surpasses Günther Ramin's legendary 1952 account (a statement heretofore unimaginable). Though nearly as dramatically slow in tempo as Ramin, Suzuki often subtly mutes the choir, which heightens the overall impression of humility, misery, despair, and lifelong repentance. Also unlike Ramin, who unfortunately had only less-than-accurate editions at his disposal, Suzuki includes an additional soprano (Midori Suzuki) whose sublime laments beautifully complement Kooy's second-movement aria.


From Bach's so-called "Mühlhausen period" (where he held the post of organist at Mühlhausen's Church of St. Blasius) his Actus Tragicus funeral cantata (Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit) remains his most popular and oft-recorded work. While long-standing favorite recordings include such diverse readings as Karl Richter's grand Munich Bach Orchestra modern-instrument performance and the Collegium Aureum's much more intimate original-instrument account, Suzuki again successfully combines the best of both approaches. The famed opening instrumental sonatina couldn't be more graceful and appropriately suggestive of another world. As well, tenor Gerd Türk and countertenor Yoshikazu Mera deliver exceptionally lovely performances, particularly in the third-movement choral. This Actus Tragicus surely is one of the best, if not the best currently available (both of the recordings mentioned above are scarce imports). BIS again complements Suzuki's achievement with state-of-the-art sonics and engaging and informative booklet notes by Suzuki and Tadashi Isoyama. Highly recommended. [3/5/2003]
--John Greene, ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 20 tracks

  1. 1 Gott ist mein konig (Chorus) 01:56
    Track
    1
    Title
    Gott ist mein konig (Chorus)
    Duration
    01:56
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  2. 2 Chorale Aria: Ich bin nun achzig Jahr (Tenor, Soprano) 03:56
    Track
    2
    Title
    Chorale Aria: Ich bin nun achzig Jahr (Tenor, Soprano)
    Duration
    03:56
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  3. 3 Dein Alter sei wie deine Jugend (Chorus) 02:06
    Track
    3
    Title
    Dein Alter sei wie deine Jugend (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:06
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  4. 4 Arioso: Tag und Nacht ist dein (Bass) 03:05
    Track
    4
    Title
    Arioso: Tag und Nacht ist dein (Bass)
    Duration
    03:05
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  5. 5 Aria: Durch machtige Kraft (Alto) 01:16
    Track
    5
    Title
    Aria: Durch machtige Kraft (Alto)
    Duration
    01:16
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  6. 6 Du wollest dem Feinde nicht geben (Chorus) 03:24
    Track
    6
    Title
    Du wollest dem Feinde nicht geben (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:24
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  7. 7 Das neue Regiment (Chorus) 03:29
    Track
    7
    Title
    Das neue Regiment (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:29
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  8. 8 Sinfonia: Aus der Tiefe rufe ich 04:42
    Track
    8
    Title
    Sinfonia: Aus der Tiefe rufe ich
    Duration
    04:42
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  9. 9 Aria: So du willst (Bass, Soprano) 04:24
    Track
    9
    Title
    Aria: So du willst (Bass, Soprano)
    Duration
    04:24
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  10. 10 Ich harre des Herrn (Chorus) 03:10
    Track
    10
    Title
    Ich harre des Herrn (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:10
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  11. 11 Aria: Meine Seele wartet auf den Derrn (Tenor, Alto) 05:11
    Track
    11
    Title
    Aria: Meine Seele wartet auf den Derrn (Tenor, Alto)
    Duration
    05:11
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  12. 12 Israel, hoffe auf den Herrn (Chorus) 03:56
    Track
    12
    Title
    Israel, hoffe auf den Herrn (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:56
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  13. 13 Sonatina 03:06
    Track
    13
    Title
    Sonatina
    Duration
    03:06
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  14. 14 Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit (Chorus) 02:00
    Track
    14
    Title
    Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:00
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  15. 15 Arioso: Ach, Herr, lehre uns bedenken (Tenor) 02:13
    Track
    15
    Title
    Arioso: Ach, Herr, lehre uns bedenken (Tenor)
    Duration
    02:13
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  16. 16 Arioso: Bestelle dein Haus (Bass) 01:07
    Track
    16
    Title
    Arioso: Bestelle dein Haus (Bass)
    Duration
    01:07
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  17. 17 Es ist der alte Bund (Chorus) 03:28
    Track
    17
    Title
    Es ist der alte Bund (Chorus)
    Duration
    03:28
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  18. 18 Aria: In deine Hande befehle ich meinen Geist (Alto) 02:20
    Track
    18
    Title
    Aria: In deine Hande befehle ich meinen Geist (Alto)
    Duration
    02:20
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  19. 19 Chorale: Heute wirst du mit mir (Alto, Bass) 03:35
    Track
    19
    Title
    Chorale: Heute wirst du mit mir (Alto, Bass)
    Duration
    03:35
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
  20. 20 Glorie, Lob, Ehr und Herrlichkeit (Chorus) 02:46
    Track
    20
    Title
    Glorie, Lob, Ehr und Herrlichkeit (Chorus)
    Duration
    02:46
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach