Music Web International

Excellent review of SDG 165 (25 Jun 2010)

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BWV 21
The text and the music take the listener on a significant spiritual journey from the poignant penitence of the opening to the spectacular final chorus - or, at least, it is in this performance - in which Bach and his librettist seem to rejoice in the certitude of the Protestant Reformation.
Gardiner’s soprano soloist, Katharine Fuge, excels, not just in the aforementioned duet but also, earlier in the cantata, in the eloquent aria ‘Seufzer, Tränen, Kummer, Not’. Miss Fuge and her fine oboe obbligato partner, give a magnetic performance of this deeply felt aria.
The cantata ends with a magnificent chorus, ‘Das Lamm, das erwürget ist’ and I was bowled over by Gardiner’s thrilling performance.
I like very much the intense singing and playing in the opening chorus - the keening oboes make their presence felt to good effect.
All three soloists do very well, especially in a lively, crisp account of the first movement [BWV 1044] and in the last of the three movements where the soloists - and their colleagues in the EBS - combine elegance with energy. Here Malcolm Proud’s rippling harpsichord playing gives much pleasure.

BWV 2
It opens with an intense, often chromatic chorus, which is the sort of thing that The Monteverdi Choir does so well.
Gilchrist’s performance is splendidly assured and completely convincing. Daniel Taylor, the alto soloist, also makes a good impression in his aria ’Tilg, o Gott, die Lehren’, in which he articulates the vocal line very positively.

BWV 10
This short piece is exuberantly sung by The Monteverdi Choir and it acts as a superb precursor to Bach’s cantata.

BWV 76
The choir’s singing, full of spirit and conviction, carries on from where they left off in the Schütz.
In Part II also comes a hugely demanding tenor aria, ‘Hasse nur, hasse mich recht’ but Gilchrist seems undaunted by its challenges. Mention must also be made of the alto aria ‘Liebt, ihr Christen, in der Tat!’ Alfred Dürr describes this lovely aria as “a special gem” and Daniel Taylor gives a winning account of it.

Despite one or two reservations this latest volume is another impressive addition to this important series. Sound quality and the notes are up to SDG’s consistently high standards. Those who have been following this evolving cycle can invest with confidence.

By John Quinn