BIS: BISSACD1641

Bach - Cantatas Volume 39

After two volumes concentrating on solo cantatas, the full forces of Bach Collegium Japan return in this programme of five cantatas dated 1725. The choir instantly makes its presence felt in the first movement of the opening work, BWV68. This is a large-scale hymn arrangement, where the choir is supported by an orchestra featuring horn and oboes. This is followed by one of the most charming and beautiful soprano arias in all of Bach’s cantatas, Mein gläubiges Herze’, in which Carolyn Sampson shines. The five works all include, to a certain extent, unusual instrumental combinations: from the three recorders which lend a pastoral character to Er rufet seinen Schafen mit Namen, BWV175, to the wind quartet (two oboi d’amore and two oboi da caccia) appearing in Sie werden euch in den Bann tun, BWV183. The variety of timbres is further aided by the appearance of the cornet and trombones of Concerto Palatino. Gerd Türk glows in the intensely melodic tenor aria ‘Seht, was die Liebe tut’ (from BWV 85), Peter Kooij, whose bass becomes the voice of Christ in Ich bin ein guter Hirt, (BWV85). All in all, another impressive installment in this highly acclaimed cycle.