JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685-1750)

 

Cantatas Vol. 26:

 

Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele, BWV 180

Das neugeborne Kindelein, BWV 122

Herr Christ, der einge Gottessohn, BWV 96

 

Bach Collegium Japan/ Masaaki Suzuki

 

Yukari Nonoshita (soprano)

Timothy Kenworthy-Brown (counter-tenor)

Makoto Sakurada (tenor)

Peter Kooij (bass), Masaaki Suzuki

 

This 26th volume consists of three works composed for performances during the last three months of 1742 and are part of Bach’s Chorale Cantata Year during which every cantata was based on a well-known chorale rather than the traditional gospel reading. Of the three works in question, BWV 180 (Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele) is the most famous and its opening chorus, which also opens this disc, is widely regarded as one of the most beautiful cantata movements Bach wrote. BWV 122 (Das neugeborne Kindelein) was written as a cantata for New Year’s Eve and as such is a meditation for the future.

 

“Suzuki projects the unity of each work with carefully sculpted opening choruses, well-leavened recitatives and urgent, radiant orchestral playing…

a recording series, reaching near its mid-point, of outstanding consistency.”  Gramophone

 

BISCD1401