Monteverdi Choir

“John Eliot Gardiner’s recording was made live at the Göttingen Festival in 1988 … the exhilaration and intensity of the performance come over vividly, with superb singing from both chorus and an almost ideal line-up of soloists … as for the Monteverdi Choir, their clarity, incisiveness and beauty are a constant delight.” (The Penguin Guide to Compact Discs)

“Taking Milton as his starting point, Handel illustrated in music the contrasts of mood and character between the cheerful and the thoughtful. Then, prompted by his librettist, Charles Jennens, he added compromise in Il Moderato, the moderate man. The sequence of brief numbers is a delight, particularly in a performance as exhilarating as Gardiner’s, with excellent soloists, choir and orchestra. The recording is first rate.” Penguin Guide ***

“John Eliot Gardiner in his vivid reading also has the advantage of fine modern recording… very well balanced and atmospheric. Anne Sofie von Otter’s Mary is outstanding, singing with rapt simplicity.” (Penguin Guide, 3 Stars)

“Once again, Gardiner’s Monteverdi Choir is the jewel in the crown of each cantata performance. Add to that Gardiner’s dramatic, electric response to music he clearly loves and you have a set that rivals his Gramophone Record of the Year Award-winning disc that launched this amazing series.” (Gramophone)

“Once again, Gardiner’s Monteverdi Choir is the jewel in the crown of each cantata performance. Add to that Gardiner’s dramatic, electric response to music he clearly loves and you have a set that rivals his Gramophone Record of the Year Award winning disc that launched this incredible series.” (James Jolly, Editor’s Choice, Gramophone)

“Gardiner’s deep personal commitment to Bach’s cantatas often allows us to share in a distinctive fervour, sometimes poignant...sometimes exuberant. This stamp of personality is too often lacking in rival performances... With their textual lucidity, crisp articulation, eloquent phrasing and lively feeling for dance rhythms, Gardiner’s performances enliven and refresh Bach’s music at almost every turn. The Monteverdi Choir is on cracking form...” (Nicholas Anderson, BBC Music Magazine)