One of the best things about recording all of Bach's cantatas is the nearly infinite number of discs that can be drawn from them. For example, now that Ton Koopman has completed his series of recordings of the extant cantatas, his performances can be re-grouped in various ways. This disc takes four Ascension Day cantatas recorded by Koopman with his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir in 1998, 2001, and 2002 and joins them together in a single program. As listeners familiar with Koopman's Bach recordings know, his ...
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One of the best things about recording all of Bach's cantatas is the nearly infinite number of discs that can be drawn from them. For example, now that Ton Koopman has completed his series of recordings of the extant cantatas, his performances can be re-grouped in various ways. This disc takes four Ascension Day cantatas recorded by Koopman with his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir in 1998, 2001, and 2002 and joins them together in a single program. As listeners familiar with Koopman's Bach recordings know, his performances are a unique combination of sublime spirituality, expressive musicality, and a deep strain of rampant individuality. Take as an example the opening work here, Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen, BWV 11. From its grandly monumental opening chorus through its anguished alto aria that later formed the basis of the Agnus Dei from the B minor Mass and its graceful soprano aria delightfully accompanied by solo flute, oboe, and cello to the expansive and exciting concluding chorus with...
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