Bach - Sacred Arias & Cantatas
from Mass in B minor, BWV 232
[1] Qui sedes
[2] Agnus Dei from Johannes-Passion, BWV 245
[3] Von den Stricken
[4] Es ist Vollbracht from Matthaus-Passion, BWV 244
[5-6] Du lieber Heiland du… Buss’ und Reu’
[7] Erbarme dich
[8-9] Erbarm’es Gott!... Können Tränen from Cantata „Ich habe genug“, BWV 82a
[10] Ich habe Genug
[11] Schlummert ein, ihr matten Augen from Cantata „Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust“, BWV 170
[12] Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust from Cantata „Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd!“, BWV 208
[13] Schafe können sicher weiden
David Daniels (countertenor), Katharina Spreckelsen (oboe d'amore), Jonathan Manson (viola da gamba), Nadja Zwiener (violin) & Lisa Beznosiuk, Guy Williams (flutes) The English Concert, Harry Bicket It has been a several years since David Daniels’ last recital for Virgin Classics – in 2004 the renowned countertenor explored Berlioz’ Les Nuits d’Eté - and his most recent recital of Baroque works, the critically acclaimed Oratorio Arias by Handel, dates back to 2002. For this new release, Daniels returns to sacred works of the Baroque era with this programme of sacred arias and cantatas by Bach. He lends his beautiful countertenor voice and immense musicianship to this programme of famous cantatas, namely “Ich habe genug”, and arias from Bach’s Mass in B minor and the Saint Matthew’s and Saint John’s Passions. The programme was recorded in London in September 2007. Accompanying David Daniels, Harry Bicket conducts The English Concert, considered to be one of the finest chamber orchestras for interpretations of Baroque and Classical music. Harry Bicket, the ensemble’s new musical director, is renowned worldwide for his performances of Baroque opera with many of the leading singers of the age, and forthcoming TEC seasons will include exciting collaborations with Sara Mingardo, Jonathan Lemalu, David Daniels, Anna-Caterina Antonacci, Mark Padmore and others. “Countertenor David Daniels is the most electrifying singer of the present day, with a voice of matchless beauty at the service of the finest musical sensibility.” BBC Music Magazine “What other voice could glide so prayerfully, so cleanly, in the Agnus Dei from the B Minor Mass? As for the lengthy sleep aria from Ich habe genug (a cantata usually assigned to the bass voice), Daniels is the lullaby king, soft and gracious to a nicety.
Heavenly stuff, in its way, especially considered moment by moment. The trouble lies more in the singing’s cumulative effect, and the dawning of the CD’s biggest vice: lack of variety. Though Bach can be a majestic musical dramatist, the gear-changes in Daniels’s pick of arias from the Mass, the two Passions and three cantatas are relatively small – subtle gradations of faith, hope and charity. What’s more, there are no chorales or choruses, Bach’s music of the people, to offer a different vocal perspective.
Beautiful musicianship is displayed throughout. But the end product remains frustrating: a Bach CD that feels overly lofty and precious, drained of too much blood.” The Times, 22nd August 2008 *** “Countertenor David Daniels is a highly sensitive exponent - his voice pliant, ethereal, androgynous; responsive to the subtlest nuances of text and phrase, if occasionally over-indulgent in his use of vibrato for expressive effect.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2008 **** | 
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