This disc coupling two of Bach's secular cantatas has many, many things going for it and only one thing going against it. First, it has fascinating -- and rarely performed or recorded -- repertoire. Angenehmes Wiederau, BWV 30a (Charming Wiederau), is a rewritten version of the sacred cantata Freue dich, erloste Schar, BWV 30 (Rejoice, redeemed souls), while Vereingte Zwietracht der wechselnden Saiten, BWV 207 (United discord of strings), is an earlier version of the secular cantata Auf, schmetternde Tone der muntern ...
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This disc coupling two of Bach's secular cantatas has many, many things going for it and only one thing going against it. First, it has fascinating -- and rarely performed or recorded -- repertoire. Angenehmes Wiederau, BWV 30a (Charming Wiederau), is a rewritten version of the sacred cantata Freue dich, erloste Schar, BWV 30 (Rejoice, redeemed souls), while Vereingte Zwietracht der wechselnden Saiten, BWV 207 (United discord of strings), is an earlier version of the secular cantata Auf, schmetternde Tone der muntern Trompeten, BWV 207a (Blare forth, proud trumpets). Second, both works are magnificently scored: Angenehmes Wiederau for bass, alto, soprano and tenor soloists, chorus, pairs of flutes and oboes, three trumpets plus tympani, strings, and basso continuo; Vereingte Zwietracht for tenor, bass, soprano, and alto soloists and a chorus, pairs of flutes and oboes, a trio of trumpets plus tympani, strings, and lute and harpsichord continuo with bassoon, cello, and double bass. Third, both works are...
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