Album

Every cantata by Bach is unique and thus each has its own special charms. "Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt" (Like the Rain and Snow from Heaven falls) (BWV 18) has an evocative opening sinfonia and a dramatic central recitative shared between all four vocal soloists. "Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn" (You are true God and David's Son) (BWV 23) has a heartmelting opening duet for alto and soprano and an expansive closing choral. And "Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern" (How beautifully shines the Morningstar) (BWV 1) has a glorious opening chorus and a joyful penultimate tenor aria. And those are just their most obvious charms.

In the sixth and present volume of his Bach cantata series, Sigiswald Kuijken has joined the three above-named cantatas as a section of the Lutheran liturgical year, in this case, the two Sundays before and the first Sunday after Ash Wednesday. And as in the previous five volumes, the performances here are entirely appealing. His use of the soloists as an intimate chamber choir in the chorales and the chamber-sized La Petite Bande as the orchestra make intimate and revealing music-making. Everything is audible here, and everything is beautiful. From dulcet soprano Siri Thornhill to stalwart bass Jan van der Crabben and from stirring strings in the sinfonias to dramatic continuo in the recitatives, every part is well shaped and executed. Kuijken, one of the great period violinists and conductors, clearly understands the heart of Bach's music and knows exactly how to express its ecstatic qualities. Recorded in clear, natural sound, these performances deserve to be heard by listeners who enjoy Bach's sacred music.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cantata No.18: Gleich wie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt (Sexagesima), BWV18 Work 13:22 Jan Van der Crabben Bass, Siri Karoline Thornhill Soprano, La Petite Bande Orchestra, Petra Noskaiova Alto, Sigiswald Kuijken Conductor, Marcus Ullmann Tenor
1	1.Sinfonia in A-	2:42			$0.99
2	2.Recitative (Bass): Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt	1:19			$0.99
3	3.Recitative (Tenor): Mein Gott, hier wird mein Herze sein	5:41			$0.99
4	4.Aria (Tenor): Mein Seelenschatz ist Gottes Wort	2:33			$0.99
5	5.Choral: Ich bitt, o Herr, aus Herzens Grund	1:07			$0.99
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cantata No.23: Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn (Quinquagesima), BWV23 Work 19:57 Siri Karoline Thornhill Soprano, La Petite Bande Orchestra, Petra Noskaiova Alto, Sigiswald Kuijken Conductor, Marcus Ullmann Tenor
6	1.Duet (Soprano, Alto): Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn	7:46			$1.49
7	2.Recitative (Tenor): Ach! gehe nicht vorüber	1:21			$0.99
8	3.Chorus: Aller Augen warten, Herr	5:12			$0.99
9	4.Chorale: Christe, du Lamm Gottes	5:38			$0.99
Johann Sebastian Bach Composer Cantata No.1: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern (Annunciation), BWV1 Work 22:17 Jan Van der Crabben Bass, Siri Karoline Thornhill Soprano, La Petite Bande Orchestra, Sigiswald Kuijken Conductor, Marcus Ullmann Tenor
10	1.Chorus: Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern	8:10			$1.49
11	2.Recitative: Du wahrer Gottes und Marien Sohn	1:06			$0.99
12	3.Aria (Soprano): Erfüllet, ihr himmlischen göttlichen Flammen	4:09			$0.99
13	4.Recitative (Bass): Ein irdscher Glanz, ein leiblich Licht	0:58			$0.99
14	5.Aria (Tenor): Unser Mund und Ton der Saiten	6:32			$0.99
15	6.Chorale: Wie bin ich doch so herzlich froh	1:22			$0.99