JS Bach - A Choral Year with Bach - Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan

 

Release Date: September 28, 2010 Label: BIS Number of discs: 1 Composer: JS Bach  Performer: Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan cd info/ buy

Review:

This generously filled disc amounts to a choral sampler from the highly regarded BIS cycle of the entire cantatas of J.S. Bach from the Bach Collegium Japan led by Masaaki Suzuki. This is a very nice CD to have around, and while collectors of the Cantata series and other releases from Suzuki’s recordings for BIS may not feel the need to double up on repertoire highlights this is the kind of disc which does very well as a pocket companion for car journeys or riotous bouts of festive cooking at home. This is not a SACD disc as with most of the other releases in the full series, but still has no caveats in terms of sound. The main warning to listeners yet to embark on a collection of Bach’s Cantatas is that, after hearing this, they are likely to be inspired to seek further – a major investment, as the finished project is likely to run to 55 volumes. The vocal qualities of the Collegium Japan are always very fine, and while the non-vibrato string sound can seem a little thin the orchestral accompaniments are always clean and well balanced. Suzuki may not always go in for the swiftest of tempi, but neither is he stodgy or mannered, and there are no weak tracks on this feast of Bach. Drink it all in, and be spiritually cleansed and glad to be alive.

 

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