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See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Bach - Cantatas Volume 41solo cantatas
Carolyn Sampson (soprano) & Peter Kooij (bass) Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki (harpsichord and conductor) As on two other recent instalments (Vols 37 & 38) in his Cantata cycle, Masaaki Suzuki here concentrates on the so-called solo cantatas, providing an opportunity for two of the highly acclaimed soloists of this series, Carolyn Sampson and Peter Kooij, to shine even more brightly. Of the two cantatas for soprano, Ich habe genung (BWV82) is among the best-known of all of Bach’s cantatas, and was evidently held in high regard from an early stage. It was originally set for bass (and appears as such on Volume 38), and source materials show that Bach performed it at least four times. Bach’s wife Anna Magdalena must also have been especially fond of it: a partial arrangement for soprano and harpsichord was included in her second Klavierbüchlein. Ich bin vergnügt (BWV84) is a slighter work in which the oboe plays an important soloistic part. Ich will den Kreuzstab gerne tragen, the weightier of the bass cantatas, is a meditation on the cross of Jesus, but also on the suffering and need that mankind must bear. The texts, by an unknown librettist, inspired Bach to produce music of sublime earnestness, great expressive depth and full of rich, immediate imagery. Whereas these three cantatas were all composed during the winter of 1726-27, Der Friede sei mit dir has a less certain place in the chronology. It is in fact probable that it was assembled from movements from various sources, perhaps by an arranger rather than by Bach himself. | 
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| |  | Bach - Cantatas Volume 39
Carolyn Sampson, Robin Blaze, Gerd Türk, Peter Kooij & Dmitry Badiarov (violoncello da spalla) Bach Collegium Japan & Concerto Palatino, Masaaki Suzuki After two volumes concentrating on solo cantatas, the full forces of Bach Collegium Japan return in this programme of five cantatas dated 1725. The choir instantly makes its presence felt in the first movement of the opening work, BWV68. This is a large-scale hymn arrangement, where the choir is supported by an orchestra featuring horn and oboes. This is followed by one of the most charming and beautiful soprano arias in all of Bach’s cantatas, Mein gläubiges Herze’, in which Carolyn Sampson shines. The five works all include, to a certain extent, unusual instrumental combinations: from the three recorders which lend a pastoral character to Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen, BWV175, to the wind quartet (two oboi d’amore and two oboi da caccia) appearing in Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV183. The variety of timbres is further aided by the appearance of the cornet and trombones of Concerto Palatino. Gerd Türk glows in the intensely melodic tenor aria ‘Seht, was die Liebe tut’ (from BWV 85), Peter Kooij, whose bass becomes the voice of Christ in Ich bin ein guter Hirt, (BWV85). All in all, another impressive installment in this highly acclaimed cycle. “The wonderfully trim and naturally expressive period band and choir, underpinned by an exceptional group of continuo players…. High-quality Bach singing and playing.” The Guardian “…fine performances with notable contributions from all the soloists…” Gramophone Magazine, September 2008 |
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| |  | Bach - Cantatas Volume 38Solo Cantatas
Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Peter Kooij (bass) & Gerd Türk (tenor) Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki The four cantatas on this recording come from 1726-1727, Bach’s fourth year of service at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. During this time Bach showed a preference for solo cantatas, entrusting the text to a single solo voice. Three of these cantatas are of this type, while the fourth (BWV58) is scored for two voices. “The wonderfully trim and naturally expressive period band and choir, underpinned by an exceptional group of continuo players…. High-quality Bach singing and playing.” The Guardian “A profound 'Ich habe genug' and exquisite singing from Sampson.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2008 “Easily the best-known piece here is Ich habe genug (BWV 82). Peter Kooij's tender, yearning account is more modestly stated than versions by his more extrovert rivals. Gerd Türk, assisted by Suzuki's beautifully shaped phrasing, makes a stronger case for the austere Ich armer Mensch (BWV 55) than any rival version that comes to mind.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2008 ***** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach - Cantatas Volume 37Solo cantatas for alto
Robin Blaze (counter-tenor) Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki Robin Blaze’s performance of which together with the BCJ and Suzuki won much acclaim at the BBC Proms this year: “The discovery of the evening was Blaze’s perfect little fragment of a solo cantata” The Times “In all these works, Bach employs a highly embellished organ, which Masaaki Suzuki delivers with authority. Witness more golden Blaze in the last cantata to cap a disc of especially committed and engaged performances - in a series whose quality shows no signs of letting up.” Gramophone Magazine, March 2008 “Robin Blaze responds with tenderly articulated phrasing to the lyrical opening aria of Vergnügt Ruh and, as we have come to expect from these musicians, the instrumental partnership is intuitively complementary and well served by the spacious SACD acoustic.” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | listen: | | No.17 Coro – Crucifixus |  | | No.26 Aria (Alto) – Agnus Dei | | | No.9 Coro – Qui tollis | |
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Carolyn Sampson (soprano I), Rachel Nicholls (soprano II), Robin Blaze (alto), Gerd Türk (tenor) & Peter Kooij (bass) Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki “…this is a rounded and impressive reading whose "Dona nobis pacem" encapsulates the best of Suzki: committed, life-affirming and generous.” Gramophone Magazine, February 2008 “The choir is small enough, two/three to a part, to project great clarity and detail - 'Osanna' is delightfully exuberant - though elsewhere Suzuki's tempos are rather deliberate…” BBC Music Magazine, January 2008 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach - Cantatas Volume 33
Yukari Nonoshita (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Jan Kobow (tenor) & Dominik Wörner (bass) Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki “Yet again a fine achievement, striking the right balance between deep contemplation and freshness of approach.” (International Record Review)  BBC Music Magazine
Disc of the month - February 2007 |
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| |  | Bach - Cantatas Volume 32'Mit Fried und Freud'
Yukari Nonoshita (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Andreas Weller (tenor) & Peter Kooij (bass) Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki “Once more there is cause to extol the by now well-accustomed merits of Masaaki Suzuki’s complete cycle of Bach cantatas: a profound knowledge of style, a multifaceted art of phrasing, and perfectly-judged choices of tempo and musical character have been the distinguishing features of this series since its inception.” Klassik Heute | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach - Cantatas Volume 31
Yukari Nonoshita (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Gerd Türk (tenor) & Peter Kooij (bass) Bach Collegium Japan & Concerto Palatino, Masaaki Suzuki “This disc is a perfect introduction to this wonderfully rich repertoire, truly music’s greatest treasure trove.” (MusicWeb) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach - Ouvertures - The Four Orchestral Suites
Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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| |  | Bach - Cantatas Volume 28
Yukari Nonoshita (soprano), Robin Blaze (countertenor), Makoto Sakurada (tenor) & Peter Kooij (bass) Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki “consistently outstanding performances, musical beyond belief, and worthy of any collection” (MusicWeb) | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
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Gramophone Awards 2008
