Bach Complete Cantatas Vol. 1 / Koopman [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Bach's 200 existing cantatas (100 more have been lost) represent one of music history's most remarkable achievements. The first volume in Erato's ambitious but much-needed traversal of the complete canon contains nine cantatas from Bach's early career. Except for "Christ lag in Todesbanden," these are lesser-known works, yet that doesn't mean they are of lesser quality. Here are some of Bach's most compelling choruses, accompanied by colorful and ingenious instrumental writing. Highlights abound, including the appendices that reproduce Bach's revised versions of cantatas 4 and 21. The choral singing is excellent: sensitive and agile, with unforced tone. Of course, there's Barbara Schlick's fluttery vibrato and occasional shrillness and tenor Guy de Mey's emphasis on "prettiness" over textual understanding. But from the very beginning of BWV 21 we hear confident, well-prepared music-making that carries throughout the recording. Perhaps most importantly--and largely due to Koopman's even-handed, purposeful direction--everything, including the sonic ambience, feels and sounds in proportion: a feature that bodes well for the whole series and makes this an excellent reference set. --David Vernier

Bach Complete Cantatas Vol. 1 / Koopman, Music, Kai Wessel, Klaus Mertens, Johann Sebastian Bach, Ton Koopman, Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Barbara Schlick, Guy de Mey, Cantata, Choral, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Classical Vocals
Bach Complete Cantatas Vol. 1 / Koopman
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • The best performance of Bach Cantatas (Volume 1)
  • Heaven laughs, earth rejoices.
 Bach Complete Cantatas Vol. 1 / Koopman

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

All Works by J.S. BachAll Works by J.S. Bach | Bach, Johann Sebastian | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Koopman, TonKoopman, Ton | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
CantatasCantatas | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
CantatasCantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ClassicalClassical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Bach: Complete Works - 155 CD Box Set

ASIN: B000005EEI
Release Date: 1995-11-07

Tracks:

  1. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Sinfonia
  2. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Coro: Ich hatte viel Bekis
  3. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Aria: Seufzer, Trn, Kummer, Not
  4. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Recitativo: Wie hast du dich, mein Gott
  5. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Aria: Be von gesalznen Zen
  6. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Coro: Was betru dich, meine Seele
  7. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Recitativo: Ach Jesu, meine Ruh
  8. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Duetto: Komm, mein Jesu
  9. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Coro: Sei nun wieder zufrieden
  10. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Aria: Erfreue dich, Seele
  11. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21: Coro: Das Lamm, das erwist
  12. Aus Der Tiefe Rufe Ich, Herr, Zu Dir, BWV 131: Sinfonia-Choral: Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir
  13. Aus Der Tiefe Rufe Ich, Herr, Zu Dir, BWV 131: Aria: So du willst, Herr Surechnen
  14. Aus Der Tiefe Rufe Ich, Herr, Zu Dir, BWV 131: Coro: Ich harre des Herrn
  15. Aus Der Tiefe Rufe Ich, Herr, Zu Dir, BWV 131: Aria: Meine Seele wartet auf den Herrn
  16. Aus Der Tiefe Rufe Ich, Herr, Zu Dir, BWV 131: Coro: Israel, hoffe auf den Herrn
  17. Ich hatte viel Bekis, BWV 21 (Appendix): Coro: Sei nun wieder zufrieden

Tracks:

  1. Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106: Sonatina
  2. Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106: Coro: Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit - Ach herr, lehre uns bedenken - Bestelle dein haus ; denn du wirst sterbren
  3. Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106: Aria: In deine He befehl ich meinen Geist
  4. Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106: Coro: Glorie, Lob, Ehr und Herrlichkeit
  5. Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 106: Sinfonia
  6. Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 106: Coro: Der Herr denket an uns
  7. Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 106: Aria: Er segnet, die den Herrn fn
  8. Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 106: Duetto: Der Herr segne euch
  9. Der Herr denket an uns, BWV 106: Coro: Ihr seid die Gesegneten des Herrn
  10. Gott ist mein K, BWV 71: Coro: Gott ist mein K
  11. Gott ist mein K, BWV 71: Aria: Ich bin nun achtzig Jahr - Soll ich auf dieser Welt
  12. Gott ist mein K, BWV 71: Coro: Dein Alter sei wie deine Jugend
  13. Gott ist mein K, BWV 71: Arioso: Tag und Nacht ist dein
  14. Gott ist mein K, BWV 71: Aria: Durch mtige Kraft
  15. Gott ist mein K, BWV 71: Coro: Du wollest dem Feinde nicht geben
  16. Gott ist mein K, BWV 71: Coro: Das neue Regiment
  17. Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Sinfonia
  18. Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Coro: Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich
  19. Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Aria: Doch bin und bleibe ich vergn
  20. Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Coro: Leite mich in deiner Wahrheit
  21. Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Aria: Zedern mvon den Winden
  22. Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Coro: Meine Augen sehen stets zu dem Herrn
  23. Nach Dir, Herr, Verlanget Mich, BWV 150: Coro: Meine Tage in dem Leide

Tracks:

  1. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Sonata
  2. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Coro: Der Himmel lacht! die Erde jubilieret
  3. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Recitativo: Erwer Tag! sei, Seele, wieder froh
  4. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Aria: Fes Lebens, starker Streiter
  5. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Recitativo: So stehe dann, du gottergebne Seele
  6. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Aria: Adam muss in uns verwesen
  7. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Recitativo: Weil dann das Haupt sein Glied
  8. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Aria: Letzte Stunde, brich herein
  9. Der Himmerl lacht! die Erde jubilieret, BWV 31: Choral: So fahr ich hin zu Jesu Christ
  10. Barmherziges herze der ewigen liebe, BWV 185: Aria: Barmherziges Herze der ewigen Liebe
  11. Barmherziges herze der ewigen liebe, BWV 185: Recitativo: Ihr Herzen, die ihr euch
  12. Barmherziges herze der ewigen liebe, BWV 185: Aria: Sei bem dieser Zeit
  13. Barmherziges herze der ewigen liebe, BWV 185: Recitativo: Die Eigenlieve schmeichelt sich
  14. Barmherziges herze der ewigen liebe, BWV 185: Aria: Das ist der Christen Kunst
  15. Barmherziges herze der ewigen liebe, BWV 185: Choral: Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ
  16. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Sinfonia
  17. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Coro: Christ lag in Todesbanden
  18. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Duetto: Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt
  19. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Aria: Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn
  20. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Coro: Es war ein wunderlicher Krieg
  21. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Aria: Hier ist das rechte Osterlamm
  22. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Duetto: So feirn wir das hohe Fest
  23. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4: Choral: Wir essen und leben wohl
  24. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4 (Appendix): Sinfonia
  25. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4 (Appendix): Versus I: Christ lag in Todesbanden
  26. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4 (Appendix): Versus II: Den Tod niemand zwingen kunnt
  27. Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4 (Appendix): Versus VII: Wir essen und leben wohl

Amazon.com

Bach's 200 existing cantatas (100 more have been lost) represent one of music history's most remarkable achievements. The first volume in Erato's ambitious but much-needed traversal of the complete canon contains nine cantatas from Bach's early career. Except for "Christ lag in Todesbanden," these are lesser-known works, yet that doesn't mean they are of lesser quality. Here are some of Bach's most compelling choruses, accompanied by colorful and ingenious instrumental writing. Highlights abound, including the appendices that reproduce Bach's revised versions of cantatas 4 and 21. The choral singing is excellent: sensitive and agile, with unforced tone. Of course, there's Barbara Schlick's fluttery vibrato and occasional shrillness and tenor Guy de Mey's emphasis on "prettiness" over textual understanding. But from the very beginning of BWV 21 we hear confident, well-prepared music-making that carries throughout the recording. Perhaps most importantly--and largely due to Koopman's even-handed, purposeful direction--everything, including the sonic ambience, feels and sounds in proportion: a feature that bodes well for the whole series and makes this an excellent reference set. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The best performance of Bach Cantatas (Volume 1).......2000-12-15

Ton Koopman starts the complete recording of Bach cantatas with some masterpieces written by Bach in Cothen and Weimar. I consider useful to remark the characteristics of each cantata so you can realize the differences among these masterpieces. BWV 21: This very famous cantata contains some remarkable pieces: the Sinfonia, the first chorus and an aria in F minor in the first part, and a duett (soprano-bass)and the final striking chorus with trumpets and timpani in the second part. N.B. There are also two arias (n.5 and 10)written for tenor, but in this recording they are singed by the soprano (Barbara Schlick). BWV 131: This cantata is based on the psalm "De prufundis"; the organic is composed only for oboe and strings but music is very moving. BWV 106: This magnific masterpiece is written for human soul; the tranquillity of music is given in the exact way by Koopman. Moreover there are 2 recorders and 2 violas da gamba that give a very ancient atmosphere. BWV 196: It's very short, but music is pretty. There are a lot of Italian reminiscences especially in the parts of violins. BWV 71: A very interesting cantata without recitatives; the string orchestra is enriched by oboes, recorders, trumpets, timpani, violoncello piccolo and organo obbligato. BWV 150: An other cantata with italian influences; Ton Koopman doesn't use the choir but only the solo voices. BWV 31: After a sinfonia with full orchestra there is a striking chorus in which you can examine the great skill of the Amsterdam Baroque Choir ( and also the Orchestra ). BWV 185: It opens with a strange duet for soprano and tenor with female choir; the first aria for alto, oboe and strings is enough famous. BWV 4: This very famous masterpiece was written to commemorate the death of Christ (Easter). Koopman gives a very good interpretation both for the sonorities and for the tempos without altering the atmosphere of great religiousness.

4 out of 5 stars Heaven laughs, earth rejoices........2000-05-09

Recently appointed 'honorary doctor' Ton Koopman with his Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra and Choir embarked a few years ago on a project to record all the Bach cantatas, both religious and secular. Koopman chose to record the cantatas in chronological order, and not by BWV number. Consequently, vol. 1 of the series (that eventually will include 20 volumes) includes 'early cantatas' composed in Weimar and Mühlhausen. It even includes the cantata "Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich" BWV 150, which is assumed to be the oldest Bach cantata in existence, written before 1707, i.e. the Arnstadt period. The Amsterdam Baroque Choir and Orchestra show to be well at home in the music of Bach. Of the soloists especially Guy de Mey (tenor) and Klaus Mertens (bass) should be mentioned. Koopman's interpretations are allways with a certain drive, which sometimes tends to result in "nervousness". His relatively high tempi however do work as they give the music liveliness and lightness. In this first volume there is sometimes to much of this, leading to a distortion of the balance between liveliness and "draught" that Bach's music needs too. All in all this first volume promises a series of Bach cantatas that will make heaven laugh and the earth rejoice, to quote the opening lines of cantata BWV31 "Der Himmel lacht! die Erde jubilieret".

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