Bach: Ascension Cantatas BWV 11, 37, 43 & 128

This disk is the pentiultimate release in John Eliot Gardiner's glorious return to the Bach Cantatas. Gardiner has embarked on a visionary "Bach Cantata Pilgrimage" in which he shall conduct every sacred cantata, every Sunday in various churches throughout Europe. 12 disks in all are scheduled for release, of which this disk, to date, is the crown. For those who are avid Cantata collectors, you will remember Gardiner's early-90's milestones -- with the same soloists. No soprano is more radiant in Bach than Argenta, the cool opulence of Chance's counter-tenor is the exact center of the boy/male alto/contralto controversy, and A. Rolfe-Johnson and Varcoe are simply the most sensitive while still virile voices today. Simply thrilling. (Special note: Robin Blaze, countertenor, does a great job on his solos and we expect great things from him). Other highlights are, as always, the flawless choral and (period-instrument) orchestral playing at wind-swept tempi, and we are particularly grateful for the length of the disk (4 cantatas, nearly 80 minutes of music).

Absolutely, stunningly, mind-blowingly brilliant. If you want a great cantata record, this is IT, even more so than the Gardiner pairing of The Big Two BWV140 and 147. Like the 140/147 pairing, these were recorded before the Cantata Pilgrimage of 2000, so are not the live recordings (hopefully soon to appear on Gardiner's SDG label). BWV 11 is especially marvellous, and worth having because it may not appear in the SDG set (some cantata editions omit BWV 11 because they consider it a separate "oratorio", rather than a cantata). However, Gardiner is including BWV 190, also omitted by many cantata editions because the first two movements are reconstructions, so I'm hopeful that BWV 11 will appear in SDG form. If not, this one is great. The other cantatas are also wonderful. Arise, go forth and buy, and enjoy the sublime genius of one of the world's great composers.

FOUR UPLIFTING CANTATAS REFLECTING BACH'S LIFE AND FAITH.

We are most certainly UPLIFTED by these four cantatas for Ascension Day, each a cameo of Bach's life-experience and faith - from the optimism of the Leipzig years to the sadness of ten years later; from a happy affirmation that the baptized believer will be saved, to a strong desire for the appearance of the ASCENDED ONE.

Bach wrote his most sublime music for the Church. His first Ascension Day in Leipzig was Thursday May 1724, for which he wrote "Wer da glaubit und getauft wird" BWV37,in which he focuses not on the Ascension story but on the words of Jesus: He who believes and is baptized shall be saved. This cantata opens with a Chorus followed by a Tenor Aria; followed by a beautifully sung chorale featuring Soprano and Countertenor; then a Bass recitative and aria and ending with a Chorale.

BWV128 "Auf Christi Himmelfahrt allein"(On Christ's Ascension Alone) focuses on the eternal implications of Jesus' Ascension for the baptized believer. The sections are as follows: Opening Chorus-Tenor recitative-Bass aria and recitative-an exciting duet featuring countertenor and tenor-ending with a lovely chorale.

In the cantata 'Gott Fahret auf mit Jauchzen' (God has gone up with a shout) Bach set his two-part text based on Psalm 47:5-6 and Mark 16:19. This was partly a token of gratitude to his earthly monarch the King and Elector, Augustus II; this is a joyful setting of praises to the King of Kings. This is actually my favorite of all four because of the variety of vocal conributions which are: Chorus-Tenor recitative and Aria-soprano recitative and aria -bass recitative and aria- countertenor recitative and aria followed by the closing chorale.

In the Ascension Oratorio "Lobet Gott in seinem Reichen" (Praise God in his His riches),the tenor Evangelist sings a compilation of passages from Luke 24:50-2,Acts 1:9-12 and Mark 16:19, which provides a story line joining the remaining movements, three of which are parodied from pre-existent material.

This disc is truly the epitome of Gardiner's Bach series and is a musical treasure. As with all of Gardiner's efforts the performance is excellent and the soloists are superb. Nancy Argento,soprano-Michael Chance & Robin Blaze (countertenors)-Anthony Rolfe Johnson (tenor)-Stephen Varcoe and Reinhard Hagen (bass). We too are UPLIFTED by this lovely and glorious music of Bach.

LOFTY PRAISE FROM THE PENGUIN GUIDE TO CD'S: "Gardiner's choice of soloists is unerring and the musicianship of (his ensembles) always imposing. Rhythm articulation is light but defined, and there is great technical finesse and unanimity of ensemble."

Booklet includes information in French, German and English; text in German and English.