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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:


Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:


Sound:


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