Bach, J S: Cantata BWV122 'Das neugeborne Kindelein'

“Gerlinde Samann is truly exceptional, exquisitely fresh and uncomplicated - every soprano aria throughout the disc held me enthralled. She is well matched by Petra Noskaiova's alto in the extraordinarily imaginative duet of BWV 91.” BBC Music Magazine, March 2012 ***

“With sensitively played period instruments, balance problems are minimal, and the gain in linear clarity and rhythmic life is inestimable. What is more, the music sounds utterly 'right' played this way...This is another first-rate disc in what I find the most consistently satisfying and musically rewarding of any Bach cantata series on record.” International Record Review, January 2012

“The programme on this CD concluded John Eliot Gardiner's Bach Cantata Pilgrimage. The earliest piece is Tritt auf die Glaubens-bahn, BWV 152… Gardiner captures its intimacy and tenderness, and is outstandingly well served by Gillian Keith in her aria with recorder, viola d'amore and continuo. This is pure magic to my ears...” BBC Music Magazine, February 2008 *****

“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 Magazine

"Philippe Herreweghe is possibly the very best Bach choral director." Early Music Review

“cycle of cantatas, he left us with an extraordinary range of solutions for how the chorale can inspire fantasy and invention. Some pieces are magnificent, others darned good and a few (dare one say) a touch severe. Such an example of 'magnificent' is the highly wrought Schmückedich from October 1724, the ne plus ultra cantata for many, where the invitation to the feast provided Bach with radiant images of the hospitality of God's kingdom.
Masaaki Suzuki brings an especially balletic prospect to the opening chorus with strong, driving bass-lines and a dazzling sense of expectancy.
One has never felt so sure of Bach's delight in an exceptional melody. This is counterbalanced by a soft-grained and lucid reading of the tenor aria 'Ermuntre dich' by Makoto Sakurada and then, fleetingly, an accompanied recitative introducing yet another countertenor to the series in the attractive and polished warmth of Timothy Kenworthy-Brown.
More heartening than anything is to hear soprano Yukari Nonoshita developing into a Bach singer of real stature. Both in Schmücke dich and the startlingly original inner movements of Das neugeborne Kindelein she conveys the gentle, compassionate honesty of Agnes Giebel.
Cantata No 96 is a less integrated piece but boasts some dazzling sopranino recorder playing in the opening chorus which Suzuki imbues with indulgent delight in Bach's glorious orchestration. Peter Kooij's 'Bald zur Rechten' deftly imparts the timid and halting steps of the Christian's human vulnerability. Another success chalked up in this riveting series.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“Fresh and incisive, Gardiner’s live performances are an ideal tonic for any winter blues.” The Times, 21st December 2012