Johann Sebastian BACH (1685-1750)
Cantatas
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme
BWV 140 [28:52]
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
BWV 80 [27:07]
Elly Ameling (sopranoi); Linda Finnie (contralto) (BWV 80); Aldo Baldin (tenor);
Samuel Ramey (bass)
London Voices
English Chamber Orchestra/Raymond Leppard
rec. February, 1981, London. ADD
DECCA MUSIC PRESTO CD 422490-2 [56:15]
These are two favourite cantatas given spirited and well
sprung recordings. Although made thirty-four years ago and largely innocent
of period awareness, there is nothing lethargic or glutinous about the performance
style. These are grand cantatas and the London Voices, chorus-master Terry
Edwards, make a glorious noise. It martial fervour is especially suited to
the music, and even if the undisclosed recording location is slightly cavernous,
that suits the elevated approach.
The attack of Aldo Baldin’s virile tenor in the first recitative of
BWV 140 matches the choir in ardour, but the following duet, in which the
silvery-voiced soprano of Elly Ameling and the smooth bass of Samuel Ramey
interweave so delightfully, establishes a complete change of mood to lyrical
rapture – as befits a cantata which exploits the time-honoured extended
nuptial metaphor of the Souls as Bride and Christ as Groom. They are accompanied
by some beautiful, soaring violin-playing from José Luis Garcia, but all the
instrumental soloists here are first rate. They include Charles Tunnell (cello),
Adrian Beers (double bass), Graham Sheen (bassoon) and Anthony Halstead (organ).
The famous chorale for the tenors of the choir is especially warmly and strongly
sung.
BWV 80 allows Ramey to demonstrate why he was long the world’s premier
coloratura basso cantabile and once again he blends so elegantly with Ameling.
Linda Finnie, wrongly credited in the notes with singing in “Wachet
auf” when in fact she sings with Baldin in the penultimate duet of “Ein
feste Burg”, is particularly noteworthy in the strength of her brief
contribution. The cantata concludes with one of those splendid, massively
assured hymnic chorales so typical of the composer.
All in all, a superb recording which hardly betrays its age and certainly
does honour to the music.
Ralph Moore
Support us financially
by purchasing this from |
|