Bach: Arias and Oboe d'Amore

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
This release is basically a showcase for two outstanding Canadian specialists in baroque music--countertenor Daniel Taylor and oboist Bruce Haynes. The centerpieces of the disc are Bach arias for alto with obbligato oboe d'amore (a slightly lower-pitched version of an oboe, rather like the modern English horn), including "Qui sedes" from the B Minor Mass and the eager "Saget, saget mir geschwinde" from the Easter Oratorio. Also included are two cheerful, charming oboe concertos (actually transcriptions back from harpsichord concertos that evidently originated as works for a melody instrument such as oboe or violin). Taylor definitely has a light lyric voice--he isn't at his best as, say, the castrato hero in a Handel opera such as Rodelinda, but he's delightful in Bach's sacred works (as he is in Purcell). Haynes has been a widely admired baroque oboist and scholar since the early 1970s; his performance here shows why. It's a pity that, rather than arias excerpted from cantatas or oratorios, they couldn't have chosen one of the full cantatas for solo alto. (Perhaps they'll do so on a future disc.) The "bleeding chunks" problem aside, this is an exquisite record. --Matthew Westphal

Amazon.com

This release is basically a showcase for two outstanding Canadian specialists in baroque music--countertenor Daniel Taylor and oboist Bruce Haynes. The centerpieces of the disc are Bach arias for alto with obbligato oboe d'amore (a slightly lower-pitched version of an oboe, rather like the modern English horn), including "Qui sedes" from the B Minor Mass and the eager "Saget, saget mir geschwinde" from the Easter Oratorio. Also included are two cheerful, charming oboe concertos (actually transcriptions back from harpsichord concertos that evidently originated as works for a melody instrument such as oboe or violin). Taylor definitely has a light lyric voice--he isn't at his best as, say, the castrato hero in a Handel opera such as Rodelinda, but he's delightful in Bach's sacred works (as he is in Purcell). Haynes has been a widely admired baroque oboist and scholar since the early 1970s; his performance here shows why. It's a pity that, rather than arias excerpted from cantatas or oratorios, they couldn't have chosen one of the full cantatas for solo alto. (Perhaps they'll do so on a future disc.) The "bleeding chunks" problem aside, this is an exquisite record. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews:

Exquisite Erbarme dich.......2002-07-19

The CD starts with "Erbarme dich" from Matthew Passion. It is sung powerfully yet exquisitely. I like Dan's version over anyone else's because no one else can sing this aria with such subtlety and full of nuance. I was very lucky to be able to listen to this masterpiece in body sonic range at the Ottawa's St. Matthew Anglican church. As the stage was packed with over 200 performers, all the soloist were forced to sing about 30 cm from the audience. By sheer coincidence, it was me who sit right in from of this great Canadian countertenor, Daniel Taylor. As once he told in the interview, his voice was truly a powerful instrument.

Following to the lovely "Qui sedes as dextram Patris", the CD ends with a energetic and lively performance of "Saget, saget mir geschwinde" from Easter Oratorio. The brisk rhythm is very apt for expressing the ardent desire of a devoted believer. Nice way to close the well arranged programme.

All other pieces are equally wonderful in this CD. Plangent quality of oboe d'amor complements Dan's vocal colour so nicely. My only complain is that there are only 6 arias lasting less than 26 minutes in total. The joke is that Dan is rationing us his songs, precisely 6 in number. His latest "Lamento" from ATMA (ACD22261) as well as previously released "Handel Sacred Arias" (ACD22222) also contain 6 arias each.

But even then, the quality of the songs is more than enough to make up for their length. I wholeheartedly recommend this CD to anyone who likes Bach performed in the authentic period style.

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