BACH: Cantatas BWV 94-96.
Helen Donath, Arleen
Auger, Else Paaski, Marga Hoffgen. Gachinger Kantorei, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart
Helmuth Rilling.
Hanssler Classic
Bach Akademie Vol 30 92.030 71m ADD/DDD.
Yet another volume of Bach cantatas comes my way! Having already reviewed
Volumes 29 & 31 this middle album slots well into the music mood of this
very Bachian year. BWV 94, 'What Need I Of This World' is the longest work
of the three and contains a lovely opening chorus that sets the tone for
some really inspired singing by Rilling's soloists. The aria for alto (Ellen
Paaske) is also very beautiful with the flute providing a colourful
accompaniment. The final Choral, 'Was frag ich nach der Welt' is marvelously
sustained with Rilling's approach lending just the right nobility and grandeur
to proceedings.
BWV 95 and 96 are circa twenty minutes in length and provide some interesting
moments, although not necessarily of the highest order. Both opening choruses
are expansive with the former's taking seven minutes and the latter's five.
BWV 96 contains an aria for tenor, (Adalbert Kraus) which is around nine
minutes in length. This is really the spearheaded backbone of the work. All
soloists are tried and trusted partners of Helmuth Rilling who shows his
Bachian credentils with measured and unfussy conducting. Those who are collecting
the Hanssler Bach Akadamie edition should not hesitate. Others who may want
to take a dip into the vast ocean of Bach cantatas would hardly do wrong
to start with this volume.
Reviewer
Gerald Fenech
Performance:
Sound:
