Bach: Cantatas Nos. 80, 140, 147; Motet [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
In two classic recordings from 1957 and 1967, conductors Geraint Jones and Wolfgang Gonnenwein, two first-rate choirs, and some of the century's top soloists combine to give performances that exemplify the ideal of modern, pre-period-revival Bach. But even period-performance enthusiasts will appreciate these full-blooded, passionate, yet well balanced, elegantly shaped interpretations, which simply remind us that Bach's music can brilliantly shine in different contexts. --David Vernier

Tracks:

Cantata No. 147: Part I: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: I: Chorus: Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben
Cantata No. 147: Part I: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: II: Recitative (tenor): Gebenedeiter Mund!
Cantata No. 147: Part I: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: III: Aria (alto): Schame dich, o Seele, nicht
Cantata No. 147: Part I: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: IV: Recitative (Bass): Verstockung kann Gewaltige verblenden
Cantata No. 147: Part I: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: V: Aria (Soprano): Bereite dir, Jesu
Cantata No. 147: Part I: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: VI: Chorus: Wohl mir, dass ich Jesum habe ('Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring')
Cantata No. 147: Part II: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: VII: Aria (Tenor): Hilf, Jesu Hilf
Cantata No. 147: Part II: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: VIII: Recitative (Alto): Der hochsten Allmacht Wunderhand
Cantata No. 147: Part II: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: IX: Aria (Bass): Ich will von Jesu Wunern singen
Cantata No. 147: Part II: Herz Und Mund Und Tat Und Leben: X: Chorale: Jesus bleibet meine freude ('Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring')
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: I: Jesu, meine Freude
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: II: Es ist nun nichts
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: III: Unter deinem Schirmen
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: IV: Denn das Gesetz des Geistes
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: V: Trotz dem alten Drachen
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: VI: Ihr aber seid nicht fleischlich
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: VII: Weg mit allen Schatzen
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: VIII: So aber Christus in euch ist
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: IX: Gute Nacht, o Wesen
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: X: So nun der Geist
Jesu Meine Freude, BWV 227: XI: Weicht, ihr Trauergeister

Tracks:

Cantata No.140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme: I: Chorus: Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
Cantata No.140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme: II: Recitative (Tenor): Er Kommt, der Braut'gam kommt
Cantata No.140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme: III: Duet (Soprano-Bass): Wann kommst du, mein Heil?
Cantata No.140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme: IV: Chorale (Tenor): Zion hort die Wachter singen
Cantata No.140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme: V: Recitative (Bass): So geh' herein zu mir
Cantata No.140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme: VI: Duet (Soprano-Bass): Mein Freund ist mein!
Cantata No.140: Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimm: VII: Chorus: Gloria sei dir gesungen
Cantata No.80: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott: I: Chorus: Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
Cantata No.80: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott: II: Duet (Soprano-Bass): Mit unsrer Macht
Cantata No.80: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott: III: Recitative (Bass): Erwage doch, Kind Gottes
Cantata No.80: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott: IV: Aria (Bass): Komm in mein Herzenshaus
Cantata No.80: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott: V: Chorus: Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel war
Cantata No.80: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott: VI: Recitative (Tenor): So stehe denn bei Christi blutgefarbter Fahne
Cantata No.80: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott: VII: Duet (Alto-Tenor): Wie selig sind doch sie
Cantata No.80: Ein Feste Burg Ist Unser Gott: VIII: Chorus: Das Wort Sie Sollen lassen strahn

Amazon.com

In two classic recordings from 1957 and 1967, conductors Geraint Jones and Wolfgang Gonnenwein, two first-rate choirs, and some of the century's top soloists combine to give performances that exemplify the ideal of modern, pre-period-revival Bach. But even period-performance enthusiasts will appreciate these full-blooded, passionate, yet well balanced, elegantly shaped interpretations, which simply remind us that Bach's music can brilliantly shine in different contexts. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

Perfect recording of perfect music.......2006-07-07

Makes you wonder why Charles Murray in his book "Human Accomplishment" does not rate Bach higher. I would not recommend listening to anything that brings tears to your eyes while driving! It could cause an accident.

I wept.......2006-01-11

Although I bought this CD for the Cantata 140, the entire CD has been a powerful source of pleasure and joy. The chorale prelude version of Cantata 140 was used as the bridesmaids' music at our wedding, and our best man sang the "Zion hoert" movement--so I already had a sentimental attachment to the music. But I'd heard it off and on for several decades before purchasing this CD. And my initial (as well as current) feeling was that 140 on these discs was almost obscenely too slow. And yet, on at least two occasions, I sat in traffic while tears filled my eyes as I listened to it. It's a magical performance, even if it is too slow.

And the other cantatas (there are two sets of performers on the discs) are nearly as inspired. I especially like the "Ein Feste Burg," one of whose sort of Vivaldi-esque movement is so thrilling that, in spite of my moral objections to such practices (if you've read C. S. Lewis's "Perelandra," you'll know what I'm referring to), I've been known to play over and over and over again.

I have bought this disc for several of my grown children. I recommend it without reserve.

Paying Homage To Bach's Spirituality.......2005-09-27

Tempo is vital to excellent Bach Cantatas, and here Jones directs fine group of vocalists, choirs and orchestra in solid, stable yet passionate account of four cantatas as well as Jesu, Meine Freude.

This is excellent balanced two CD recording, which is sensitive, informed and lively as needed.

Especially attracted to dignififed offering of Cantata 80, with superb vocals by Emeling and Sotin.

Nice price, combination and performance at reasonable price.

beautiful Bach.......2005-08-18

These somewhat older recordings of three of Bach's greatest cantatas deliver superb music making! Cantata 147 features memorably articulate, vibrant and focused singing by a young Joan Sutherland; the performance of the famous chorale, though taken perhaps a tad slow, richly serves the incumbent spirituality of Bach's music. Better the understatement found here than the racing tempi that ruin at least four other major versions I have. Gardner's tempi are acceptable, but the playing is not as focused as it is under these conductors. The orchestras here are pliant and attentive, partnering splendid singing with a devoted sense of intimacy. Altmeyer, Baker & Ameling are especially fine soloists in the other two cantatas. I've heard many performances of Bach's cantatas and consider these among the very best recorded versions. With so many recordings of the cantatas available, one would think there should be many musically fine editions from which to choose and be content, but memorable performances are rare enough indeed. Music making of this kind quashes an already notoriously thin controversy with respect to period instruments and style. This is music verily from the inside out, nothing less. It's a delight to experience from beginning to end. A separate chorale version of 'Jesu, meine Freude' (with slightly altered melodic cadence) is an unexpected additional treat. Don't hesitate, for Bach's sake!

Excellent Stuff.......2005-02-06

I am a relative newcomer to Bach's cantatas, so this review might not carry much gravitas but anyone's free to contradict me. I thought this was an excellent recording of some of Bach's most loved and well known cantatas, and this double-disc offers excellent value for money. Cantata 147 was superb, and thankfully was not sung in English as I have heard before but in German obviously as it should be -I go crazy hearing "Jesu Joy of Man's Desire" in english the German sounds so much better and this version is a case in point, with a really vibrant orchestral accompaniment instead of a laboured organ which I have heard before. This chorus is so good, Bach included it twice in BWV 147 and it really is a joy.

The second cantata on the first disc is BWV 227, the motet "Jesu meine Freude". I knew nothing of this beforehand and was delighted to find out that it contains all choruses and corales with no recititatives which I find to be a bit boring (queue sound of purists turning in their graves).The choir here is uniformly excellent

The second disc begins with BWV 140 "Wachet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme". I have a particular love and interest for this cantata having sung it recently and this is how it's meant to be sung- the South German Madrigal Choir's execution is far better than our unbalanced amatuer one! The tricky "Wachet Auf" chorus is handled effortlessly and perfectly with the "alleluia" bit toward the end absolutley superb. The two soprano/bass duets are also brillaint but the undoubted highlight of this cantata comes with the final corale "Gloria sie dir gesungen". This contains such joy and sheer beauty it must be heard to be believed. Translated, one of the lines reads "With men's and angel's tongues" and this sounds like choirs of angels. The finale with the sopranos hitting strong soaring high notes is hairs on the back of the neck stuff.

I know nothing about BWV 80 but to this amatuer it sounded excellent with the opening chorus a joy, punctuated with triumphant french horn throughout.The cantata is routinely excellent throughout.

I would definitely reccomend this cd to classical lovers in general and to Bach lovers in particular

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