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Heavenly Bach - Arias & Cantatas / Forsythe, Sorrell, Apollo's Fire
Avie Records

Heavenly Bach - Arias & Cantatas / Forsythe, Sorrell, Apollo's Fire

$19.99

Details

Composer
Johann Sebastian Bach
Artist
Amanda Forsythe, Apollo's Fire
Format
CD
Label
Avie Records
Released
Nov 18, 2022
Catalog #
AV2547
UPC
822252254723

About

Billboard chart-topping and Grammy-winning Jeannette Sorrell, baroque orchestra Apollo’s Fire, soprano Amanda Forsythe and the music of J. S. Bach create a divine musical partnership. Heavenly Bach pairs two of the composer’s most popular cantatas, interspersed with two sublime arias from the St. John Passion. In Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! (“Shout to joy for God in every land!), Forsythe’s dazzling virtuosity hits the high notes – she “sets arias on fire” according to BBC Music Magazine – whilst the secular “Wedding Cantata” exudes a joyous and evocative marriage in springtime, for a result that is heavenly indeed.

REVIEW:

Soprano Amanda Forsythe is among today’s most delightful vocalists and a fine, dedicated musician. Her sparkling Baroque performances with specialist groups and leading orchestras have brought contented smiles to many listeners. She has a bright, clean timbre that can execute rapid passagework and sustain long phrases with remarkable aplomb, and she never seems to stray from pitch. I have friends in Boston I can interest in attending a performance with the words, “Amanda Forsythe’s in it.” Here, she collaborates with another extraordinary artist, the conductor Jeannette Sorrell, who deployed the soprano in her 2021 New York Philharmonic debut, an arrestingly theatrical Messiah.

Sorrell’s Cleveland-based period instrument ensemble Apollo’s Fire, twenty-five in strength, here accompany Forsythe with delectable precision and tonal appeal in two of Bach’s most popular cantatas, plus two arias from the St. John Passion. The recordings, all technically first-rate, date from different sessions—the arias from 2016, the so-called Wedding Cantata from two years later and Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! from 2021. Forsythe’s fresh-timbred singing proves a joy throughout.

In the Johannes-Passion, the contemplative “Zerfliese, mein Herz” finds the lamenting vocalist encircled by oboe and flute, a contrast in tone to “Ich folge dir gleichfalls,” with its delightful pair of flutes following the resolute if challenging soprano line. Forsythe and Sorrell’s instrumental soloists limn well the shifting moods of the five-aria Weichet Nur, Betrübte Schatten, a secular cantata evoking spring as well as Classical deities (Amor, Flora and Phoebus). Steven Marquardt is the excellent trumpeter in the bravura BWV 51, the title aria and famous concluding Alleluja movement, which Sorrell and Forsythe take at an enjoyably bracing clip. René Schiffer’s cello continuo aptly receives major billing in Avie’s helpful booklet.

-- Opera News

The first time I heard soprano Amanda Forsythe was on a CD of Handel arias. Searching for virtuosity, I found it and much more: a creamy, clear, lyric soprano, pinpoint coloratura, and enough color in the voice to delineate character and take me through adventures. The voice, the artistry remain the same on this new Bach recital, but the program feels less fulfilling.

Opening with Cantata No. 51, everyone’s madcap duel between soprano and trumpet at breakneck speed, you almost feel concern for articulation, pitch, and, well, everything but speed. But it’s a razzle-dazzle run-through, and it’s great fun. The Chorale “Sei Lob und Preis” disappoints somewhat; Forsythe and conductor Jeanette Sorrell seem to miss the strutting rhythm, but Forsythe’s middle octave, featured here, is as smooth as silk. The “Alleluia” made me want to dance.

I suspect no one’s favorite Bach cantata is No. 202, the so-called Wedding Cantata. The sweet text revolves around nature, then more nature, then flowers, then the sun, then Cupid on the prowl, and finally, good wishes to a couple. No religion, no depth, no tension, just plenty of room for Forsythe’s gorgeous middle voice, so smooth, so easily produced. And a fine oboe obbligato early on; later a nice cello, and a solo violin.

The two arias from the St. John Passion present two moods. “Zerfliesse, mein Herze”, featuring a combination of oboe da caccia and flute, with the voice used, often, as a third woodwind, is an emotional reaction to the death of Jesus: heartfelt and moving, with repeated notes signifying weeping. “Ich folge dir gleichfalls” finds the soprano following Jesus, with two lovely flutes as backup.

Jeannette Sorrell accompanies handsomely, only once or twice covering the voice. This is a release that will enchant, but at 49 minutes will also leave you hungry. Amanda Forsythe remains a star.  

-- ClassicsToday.com

Tracklist 16 tracks

  1. 1 Aria: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! 04:16
    Track
    1
    Title
    Aria: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!
    Duration
    04:16
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  2. 2 Recitative: Wir beten zu dem Tempel an 02:19
    Track
    2
    Title
    Recitative: Wir beten zu dem Tempel an
    Duration
    02:19
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  3. 3 Aria: Höchster, mache deine Güte 04:58
    Track
    3
    Title
    Aria: Höchster, mache deine Güte
    Duration
    04:58
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  4. 4 Chorale: Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren 03:31
    Track
    4
    Title
    Chorale: Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren
    Duration
    03:31
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  5. 5 Finale: Alleluja! 02:07
    Track
    5
    Title
    Finale: Alleluja!
    Duration
    02:07
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  6. 6 St. John Passion, BWV 245, Part II: Aria: Zerfliesse, mein Herze 06:57
    Track
    6
    Title
    St. John Passion, BWV 245, Part II: Aria: Zerfliesse, mein Herze
    Duration
    06:57
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  7. 7 Aria: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten 06:39
    Track
    7
    Title
    Aria: Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten
    Duration
    06:39
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  8. 8 Recitative: Die Welt wird wieder neu 00:28
    Track
    8
    Title
    Recitative: Die Welt wird wieder neu
    Duration
    00:28
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  9. 9 Aria: Phoebus eilt mit schnellen Pferden 03:14
    Track
    9
    Title
    Aria: Phoebus eilt mit schnellen Pferden
    Duration
    03:14
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  10. 10 Recitative: Drum sucht auch Amor sein Vergnügen 00:42
    Track
    10
    Title
    Recitative: Drum sucht auch Amor sein Vergnügen
    Duration
    00:42
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  11. 11 Aria: Wenn die Frühlingslüfte streichen 03:02
    Track
    11
    Title
    Aria: Wenn die Frühlingslüfte streichen
    Duration
    03:02
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  12. 12 Recitative: Und dieses ist das Glücke 00:44
    Track
    12
    Title
    Recitative: Und dieses ist das Glücke
    Duration
    00:44
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  13. 13 Aria: Sich üben im Lieben 04:18
    Track
    13
    Title
    Aria: Sich üben im Lieben
    Duration
    04:18
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  14. 14 Recitative: So sei das Band der keuschen Liebe 00:23
    Track
    14
    Title
    Recitative: So sei das Band der keuschen Liebe
    Duration
    00:23
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  15. 15 Gavotte: Sehet in Zufriedenheit 02:37
    Track
    15
    Title
    Gavotte: Sehet in Zufriedenheit
    Duration
    02:37
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell
  16. 16 St. John Passion, BWV 245, Part I: Aria: Ich folge dir gleichfalls 03:33
    Track
    16
    Title
    St. John Passion, BWV 245, Part I: Aria: Ich folge dir gleichfalls
    Duration
    03:33
    Composer
    Johann Sebastian Bach
    Performer
    Amanda Forsythe
    Ensemble
    Apollo's Fire
    Conductor
    Jeannette Sorrell