Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer: Hannah Morrison, Eleanor Minney, Reginald Mobley, Hugo Hymas, Gianluca Buratto, Monteverdi Choir
Orchestra: English Baroque Soloists
Conductor: Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: SDG
Release: 2017
Size: 1.31 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Missa in F Major, BWV 233
01. I. Kyrie eleison
02. II. Gloria in excelsis Deo
03. III. Domine Deus
04. IV. Qui tollis peccata mundi
05. V. Quoniam to solus sanctus
06. VI. Cum Sancto Spiritu
Cantata BWV151 ‘Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt’
07. I. Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt
08. II. Erfreue dich, mein Herz
09. III. In Jesu Demut kann ich Trost
10. IV. Du teurer Gottessohn
11. V. Heut schleußt er wieder auf die Tür
Magnificat in E flat major, BWV243a
12. Magnificat anima mea Dominum
13. Et exultavit
14. Vom Himmel hoch
15. Quia respexit
16. Omnes generationes
17. Quia fecit mihi magna
18. Freut euch und jubiliert
19. Et misericordia
20. Fecit potentiam
21. Gloria in excelsis Deo
22. Deposuit potentes
23. Esurientes implevit bonis
24. Virga Jesse floruit
25. Suscepit Israel
26. Sicut locutus est
27. Gloria Patri
So much can be said about this new recording featuring among others − but as the pièce de résistance − Bach’s Magnificat, performed by John Eliot Gardiner, that we simply don’t know where to start! In 1983 – already 35 years ago! – Gardiner gave his first vision of Magnificat BWV 234 in D major; here the version in question is the BWV 234a in E flat major, the original and initial version, the – extended – one Bach wrote as soon as 1723 while the BWV 234 version (more often played nowadays) only arose from adjustments made ten years later. Of course one can debate on the advantages of one over the other but for this recording, Gardiner put emphasis on the brilliance, vibrancy and stunning virtuosity imposed by the E-flat major tone and vigorous tempi, in other words: undeniably modern! Magnificat is preceded by the Mass in F major, one of Bach’s four Lutheran masses, proper gems that are too rarely performed. It’s worth noting that most movements are recycled from previous cantatas, but with thorough rewrites of course! You’ll also find one of Gardiner’s favourite cantatas, Süßer Trost, mein Jesus kömmt (Sweet comfort, my Jesus comes), BWV 151, composed for the Christmas period. With his English Baroque Soloists, his Monteverdi Choir and a broad group of soloists (the alto parts are given to a male voice, it’s worth mentioning in case… it’s not your cup of tea), Gardiner is once again standing on top of a great success.