Bach, J S: Cantata BWV80 'Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott'

“Naxos include here four of Bach's most celebrated and accessible cantatas. The performances are far removed in character from the complete Harnoncourt and Leonhardt edition on Teldec; women rather than boys sing all the soprano and alto solos, the Hungarian Radio Chorus is a mixed male and female ensemble and the Failoni Chamber Orchestra of Budapest plays modern rather than period instruments.
However, for much of the time this is enjoyable spirited music-making which, in its choice of tempos, its understanding of recitative and its feeling for the lyricism of Bach's writing compares favourably with rival modern instrument versions. The disappointment lies partly in the choice of edition and solution to instrumentation.
Sheep may safely graze (No 208) is without the treble recorders which Bach specifically asked for and which intensify the pastoral idyll.
Here, furthermore the flutes are rather distantly balanced giving them a somewhat irrelevant role which is far from Bach's intention.
More serious is the decision to follow the inflated version of the first and fifth movements of Ein feste Burg (No 80) penned by Bach's eldest son, Wilhelm Friedemann shortly after his father's death. Here Friedemann added three trumpets and a kettledrum to the original texture of oboes and strings, and though some may prefer the more overt sense of occasion and the emphasis of the church militant, that this achieves, the scoring of the original is unquestionably effective and in keeping with the piece as a whole. Much else here is sensitively and unsentimentally performed.
'Jesu, joy of man's desiring' (from No 147) is perhaps a shade on the slow side.
Most affecting of all though, is the canonic alto/tenor duet from No 80 whose tender writing for oboe da caccia and violin has long been for some one of the purplest of all passages in the entire Bach cantata canon. The soprano Ingrid Kertesi negotiates the many difficulties of Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! fluently and with a youthful zeal and few will be disappointed by her spirited artistry. These are two mainly very enjoyable discs which can be confidently recommended.
Clear recorded sound.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“The most atmospheric choral record to have come my way in a long while.” Organists Review

“Koopman's irrepressible enthusiasm and impish wit remain undiminished as he ends his immense 12 year project recording all Bach's cantatas. Assured vocal soloists, fluent choir and impeccable instrumentalists all meet Bach's often cruel demands with superb control of style and technique.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2008

“…certain singers carry the day - especially Sandrine Piau and James Gilchrist, the latter profoundly telling in "Ich traue seiner Gnaden" from No 97. One should give special credit to the stalwart of the series, the bass Klaus Mertens, capable of both understanding and beauty...” Gramophone Magazine, November 2006