Ian Bostridge - J.S. Bach: Cantatas & Arias / Biondi, Europa Galante

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Tenor Ian Bostridge and Fabio Biondi, with his Europa Galante ensemble, collaborate in a hugely enjoyable program of J.S. Bach cantata arias (some transposed from their original settings) for tenor. The centerpiece is BWV 82, "Ich hab genug," more familiar in versions for bass or soprano. Here Bostridge poaches the soprano version and sings with vocal mastery and textual nuance. Throughout the varied program his effortlessly floating high register offers a sensuous touch rarely heard in most Bach performances, and it's matched by a rich, rounded sound throughout his range. Fortunately he reins in the overemoting that sometimes mars his lieder singing, while his sensitivity to the texts remains apparent everywhere. Most of the texts are about shucking off worldly cares for the glories of heaven, and the music, full of longing and hope, is often akin to a lover's pleas. Along with Bostridge's vocalism, Biondi's solos and the opulent tonal resources of his outstanding period band make this CD indispensable. --Dan Davis

Tracks:

Aria - Ich Habe Genug
Recitativo - Ich Habe Genug
Aria - Schlummert Ein, Ihr Matten Augen
Mein Gott! Wann Kommt Das Schone: Non!
Aria - Ich Freue Mich Auf Meinen Tod
Sinfonia
Recitativo - Es Will Der Hochste Sich Ein Siegsgesprang...
Aria - Ja Tausend Mal Tausend Begleiten Den Wagen
Aria - Ich Armer Mensch, Ich Sundenknecht
Recitativo - Ich Habe Wider Gott Gehandelt
Aria - Erbarme Dich! Lass Die Tranen
Recitativo - Erbarme Dich!
Chor - Bin Ich Gleich Von Dir Gewichen
Sinfonia
Aria - Der Ewigkeit Saphirnes Haus
Aria - Sanfte Soll Mein Todeskummer
Recitativo - Dies Hat Gott Klar
Aria - Des Vaters Stimme Lies Sich Horen
Aria - Gott Ist Mein Freund
Sinfonia

Amazon.com

Tenor Ian Bostridge and Fabio Biondi, with his Europa Galante ensemble, collaborate in a hugely enjoyable program of J.S. Bach cantata arias (some transposed from their original settings) for tenor. The centerpiece is BWV 82, "Ich hab genug," more familiar in versions for bass or soprano. Here Bostridge poaches the soprano version and sings with vocal mastery and textual nuance. Throughout the varied program his effortlessly floating high register offers a sensuous touch rarely heard in most Bach performances, and it's matched by a rich, rounded sound throughout his range. Fortunately he reins in the overemoting that sometimes mars his lieder singing, while his sensitivity to the texts remains apparent everywhere. Most of the texts are about shucking off worldly cares for the glories of heaven, and the music, full of longing and hope, is often akin to a lover's pleas. Along with Bostridge's vocalism, Biondi's solos and the opulent tonal resources of his outstanding period band make this CD indispensable. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

a voice teacher and early music fan.......2006-04-30

In contrast to the bass voice, which is frequently associated with flesh-and-blood characters such as Jesus and Peter, the tenor in Bach is often a disembodied prescence. To this supple, even-toned voice are entrusted the arias which may be properly called, poetic and rhetorical illustrations with the purpose of making evident, and so to speak palpable, this or that aspect of faith or of the life of the believer. The tenor voice becomes that of the repentant sinner, and thus of hope. Combine the names:Bach, Biondi and Bostridge and you have a MUSICAL MASTERPIECE!!!!!!Everything is good about this disc both vocally and instrumentally. Beginning the recording with the Cantata "Ich habe genug"(It is enough.) was very clever programming because after hearing it, the listener has to keep listening; it is so mesmerizing. Ian's voice combined with the lovely and lush tone of the flute is almost hypnotic. Biondi's skillful violin playing is exciting as shown in the Aria:"Enbarme dich!Lass die Tranen"(Have mercy on me); and also in the "SinfoniaBWV212". In fact,'Europa Galante'does an incredible job,not only do they just play the notes, but they perform with such vigor and excitement, one has to be drawn into the music. The Choral "Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen" added the voices of Giuia(sop),Carmignani (male alto) and Abete(bass)also well done. This is a disc with much variety and excitement; it's that characteristic that sets it apart from many other like renditions.

TOWARDS THE HEREAFTER.......2005-12-20

There is a very interesting and thoughtful essay accompanying this disc, by Michel Roubinet and quite superbly translated into genuine English by Hugh Graham. In it the author draws attention to some aspects of the pietist tradition of Lutheranism, in particular its strong emphasis on the worshipper as an individual, and even more particularly the recurring theme of death as the gateway to each individual's final fulfilment. This was the spirit of much of the poetry that Bach set in his cantatas, and it must have been to a great extent the particular strain of belief that underlay the transcendental musical inspiration of Bach himself. Bach knew love and he knew grief and he believed both to be God's dispensation. He knew his own talent, he believed that to be God's gift, and he worked to perfect it with an industry that would have been astonishing in someone who had far more perfecting to do. The spirit of his music is introspective, but it seems to me completely untouched by guilt or fear. Bach's talent, unlike Milton's, was not death to hide because for him death held no terrors.

A review of this recital in a Sunday newspaper was phrased in such extravagant terms of praise that I noted it as something to acquire. I am relieved to calculate that this review can only have been five years ago, so long does it seem that I have been failing to do anything about it, but the name of Ian Bostridge registered firmly with me, and I now own the disc with a good idea, obtained in the intervening period, of why the original reviewer was so impressed. Bostridge is not only highly accomplished, he has an exceptional voice in the first place. It is what I think of as a `true' tenor, as opposed to the `mezzo-tenor' timbre of Schreier or Padmore. In spite of this Bostridge has a quite remarkable low register, something that he needs frequently in Bach and nowhere more on this disc than in Ich Habe Genug, where he adapts the soprano version and shows his self-assurance by leading off with it. There is more than an hour's music here, it is all music of much the same type, but between composer and interpreters the experience was over in no time. Bostridge seems to me to hit the right expression in every piece without exception, and he is admirably offset by the Europa Galante group, not just the instrumentalists but also the three singers who perform the final chorale in Ich Armer Mensch.

In addition to the arias, recitatives and the one chorus, there are three short instrumental numbers, the disc being rounded off with a sinfonia from the Peasant Cantata, providing an unexpected and pleasant contrast to the unrelieved devoutness of the rest of it. The recorded tone is admirable, and the liner-note is of real value. Apart from anything else, the translation by Hugh Graham puts his fellow practitioners to shame. If you read the note in English without realising it is a translation, as I did, you would never know, or at least I never suspected.

I suppose it is slightly unusual for a young artist to introduce himself with an exhibition disc consisting entirely of music that is not only great but deeply serious and even solemn as well. However one of the most extraordinary things about Bach is just how strong his appeal has always been and always looks like being. The technical difficulty of his music that once seemed formidable seems so no longer, and in some ways he is easier to interpret successfully than most composers of similar stature. That does not detract in the slightest from what Bostridge has achieved here, and I would suggest that admirers of both great music and great singing would do well to be less dilatory about obtaining this disc than I was.

a voice unsurpassed.......2001-10-13

This CD is stunning. I am a cellist, and I originally bought it for some of the Bach pieces that featured prominent instrumental parts, but from the start, I was spellbound. The first selection, BWV 82A, is one of the most beautiful works of Bach that I have ever heard. Ian Bostridge's voice is spellbinding. I am looking forward to hearing much more, especially his lieder CDs.

STUNNING.......2001-03-11

This is the perfect recording for anyone who already loves the vocal music of J.S. Bach or for anyone who feels that Bach's music is too mathematical and non-emotional. Ian Bostridge is, arguably, the most emotional of all "serious" singers today. He interprets everything he performs and brings his own insights to his performances, whether, for example, the music be written by Bach or another of the singer's obvious favorites, Benjamin Britten. The music on this album, usually sung by bass or soprano, sounds very right for tenor, esp. for Bostridge's light, almost unearthly, sound. He is beautifully accompanied by an ensemble called Europa Galante which also plays three of Bach's sinfonias for orchestra, without voice. This is a stunning album which I highly recommend.

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