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Product Description
Amazon.co.uk Review
Bach-Magnificat is a complete compilation, compiled by EMI, to commemorate Bach's 250th anniversary, in an accessible, luxurious anthology of the baroque master's sacred music. Over two and a half hours, this programme encompasses the grand scale of the Magnificat in D (BWV243) and Missa Brevis in A (BWV234). Between these are scared cantatas, the very popular choral Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme BWV140 contrasting with sensitive solo vocal writing in Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen (BWV12), motets, arias and an organ prelude and fugue. It is a well-balanced programme, covering every aspect of Bach's church music except the Passions.
The interesting booklet recounts King's College Choir's long involvement with the music of Bach, while the Academy of Ancient Music are thoroughly versed in this repertoire, the two ensembles producing a glorious sound. The soloists are of the very highest calibre, with Ian Bostridge, Michael Chance, Michael George, Susan Gritton and Lisa Milne, bringing great humanity to this incomparable music. King's College Choir have also recorded John Rutter's fine modern Requiem, and feature on an exceptional double-set of Vivaldi Glorias. Magnificat's uncompromising quality will satisfy the serious collector while providing a thoroughly rewarding introduction to Bach's great sacred music for a wider audience.--Gary S. Dalkin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 6 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is an excellent double CD of some of Bach's most beautiful choral music, with some lovely instrumental pieces included, too. In addition to his wholly wonderful setting of the Magnificat there are cantatas and motets, one of Bach's Missa Brevis settings and a number of free-standing pieces. They are a real pleasure to listen to individually, and also form a very rewarding complete programme. There is a hint of "Greatest Hits" about the selection of pieces - they have been sure to include Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring and the Air from the 3rd Orchestral Suite (the "Air On a G String"), for example - but it's anything but a lightweight compilation and the famous pieces sit very comfortably with the other less well-known but equally enjoyable works.
The performances are uniformly excellent: full of joy and Bach's characteristic dance rhythms where appropriate, but also with real intellectual weight and pathos in other parts. With five real star soloists in Susan Gritton, Lisa Milne, Michael Chance, Ian Bostridge and Michael George, a world-class choir and orchestra and the direction of the superlative Stephen Cleobury one would expect something special and these discs don't disappoint in any way. They use the acoustic of King's Chapel very well and the recorded sound is very good.
If you're looking for a selection of Bach's choral music to get to know, you can't go wrong with this set which offers outstanding performances at budget price. If, like me, you already have recordings of most or all of the pieces here, you will still find plenty to enjoy in these performances and I would recommend this set very highly to novices and seasoned Bach listeners alike.
The performances are uniformly excellent: full of joy and Bach's characteristic dance rhythms where appropriate, but also with real intellectual weight and pathos in other parts. With five real star soloists in Susan Gritton, Lisa Milne, Michael Chance, Ian Bostridge and Michael George, a world-class choir and orchestra and the direction of the superlative Stephen Cleobury one would expect something special and these discs don't disappoint in any way. They use the acoustic of King's Chapel very well and the recorded sound is very good.
If you're looking for a selection of Bach's choral music to get to know, you can't go wrong with this set which offers outstanding performances at budget price. If, like me, you already have recordings of most or all of the pieces here, you will still find plenty to enjoy in these performances and I would recommend this set very highly to novices and seasoned Bach listeners alike.
15 of 16 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
While re-tuning the radio this morning, I happened to catch a brief snatch of a choral work on Radio 3. It was so beautiful that I was compelled to listen to the end. Within a few bars I knew that it was Bach and that it was one of the top English choirs. The announcement at the end confirmed that it was the Cantata BWV 230 "Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden", performed by the Choir of King's College Cambridge under the inestimable Stephen Cleobury, who just gets better with every passing year. I immediately resolved to buy the album. Finding here that there is such a treasure of other Bach works on the double CD has just confirmed my choice. I am now looking forward to Christmas!
8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
The Academy of Ancient Music perform a selection of the music of Bach, including his Magnificat in D (=Canticle of the Virgin Mary) using all the power and majesty of the choir of King's College under the master Stephen Cleobury. You will listen to this music and be thrilled at the wonder of this combination of excellence.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
OK
The music was good but unfortunately the music for CD 1 was on CD2 and vica versa. Quite a nuisance until I recognised what was happening. Read more
Published 18 months ago by A. Perry
Bach: Magnificat
If anyone has seen the Channel Four Documentary about Alex Stobbs - "A Boy Called Alex" then they will know why I bought this CD. Read more
Published on 23 Nov 2009 by John Eric Leach
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