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Bach: Famous Cantatas / Leusink, Netherlands Bach Collegium


Release Date: 10/28/2014 
Label:  Brilliant Classics   Catalog #: 94947  
Composer:  Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch,  Marjon Strijk,  Ruth Holton,  Sytse Buwalda,   ... 
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Number of Discs: 5 
In Stock: Usually ships in 24 hours.  

Notes and Editorial Reviews

Throughout his life, Bach remained a passionate composer of sacred cantatas, which underpinned his unshakeable commitment to the Lutheran church. While he also turned his hand to secular cantatas, he remains best known for his religious works, and this collection delves into a varied selection representing all the important festivals in the Christian calendar. Along with some of the best-known examples, such as ‘Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott’ BWV80, with its triumphant timpani and trumpets, listeners will also find a treasure trove of lesser-known gems. With Bach, though, a lack of popularity rarely means a drop in quality: indeed, a wealth of timbre and colour is to be found in some of his earlier works, such as ‘Aus der tiefen, rufe ich, Read more Herr, zu dir’ BWV131, a setting of the psalm ‘De Profundis’. In this, as in many of his cantatas, we are left spellbound by the imaginative interplay between chorus and soloists, climaxing in a resonating cry of ‘Israel!’ The religious texts, which at the time of their use had recently been translated into Bach’s native German, are exploited for all their lyricism and spiritual meaning; whether dwelling mournfully on ‘Seufzer’ (sighing), or celebrating with a resonant ‘Hallelujah!’, Bach’s sacred cantatas will stir any listener, religious or not.

The cantatas here have been specially selected from a recently released Brilliant Classics box set, Bach’s Complete Sacred Cantatas (94365). Renowned conductor Pieter Jan Leusink heads a stellar line-up of musicians, including the Holland Boys Choir and Netherlands Bach Collegium, playing entirely on period instruments. Praised for their ‘characteristic performances, marked by a great sense of authenticity’ (Gramophone), the recordings were produced for the ‘Bach year’ 2000, 250 years since the composer’s death. The boy sopranos, just as they would have sounded in Bach’s time, lend an assured accompaniment to the soloists, who give a consummate and compelling performance.

Other information
- Recordings: 1999–2000.
- The Bach’s Cantatas have secured their place in the canon of human creations of eternal value. In no other oeuvre one finds the expression of all universal human emotions, from utter grief to extatic joy, from turbulant drama to serene contemplation.
- This set presents a generous selection of the best loved, most famous cantatas, works which have for centuries been a source of strength and consolation for many generations, and hopefully will be for many to come.
- Featuring the Holland Boys Choir (as used in Bach’s own time), the Early Music ensemble Netherlands Bach Collegium, and conducted with passion by Pieter Jan Leusink.
- Booklet contains detailed notes on each cantata.
- Sung texts available for download.
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Works on This Recording

1.
Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV 54 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1714; Cöthen, Germany 
2.
Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1714; Weimar, Germany 
3.
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 98 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1726; Leipzig, Germany 
4.
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1731; Leipzig, Germany 
5.
Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust, BWV 170 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1726; Leipzig, Germany 
6.
Selig ist der Mann, der die Anfechtung erdulet, BWV 57 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Written: 1725 
7.
Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1714; Cöthen, Germany 
8.
Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele, BWV 143 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: Leipzig, Germany 
9.
Jesus nahm zu sich die Zwölfe, BWV 22 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1723; Cöthen, Germany 
10.
Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Written: 1730 
11.
Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Written: 1723 
12.
Herr, wie du willt, so schicks mit mir, BWV 73 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1724; Leipzig, Germany 
13.
Halt im Gedächtnis Jesum Christ, der auferstanden ist von der Todten, BWV 67 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1724; Leipzig, Germany 
14.
Es ist dir gesagt, Mensch, was gut ist, BWV 45 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1726; Leipzig, Germany 
15.
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott, BWV 80 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: by 1744; Leipzig, Germany 
16.
Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1708; Weimar, Germany 
17.
Aus tiefer Not schrei'ich zu dir, BWV 38 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1724; Leipzig, Germany 
18.
Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1707; Mühlhausen, Germany 
19.
Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:  Knut Schoch (Tenor), Marjon Strijk (Soprano), Ruth Holton (Soprano),
Sytse Buwalda (Alto), Nico Van der Meel (Tenor), Bas Ramselaar (Bass)
Conductor:  Pieter-Jan Leusink
Orchestra/Ensemble:  Netherlands Bach Collegium
Period: Baroque 
Written: 1725; Leipzig, Germany 

Customer Reviews

Average Customer Review:  ( 1 Customer Review )
 Great Introduction to Bach's Cantatas June 5, 2018 By Mark S. (Fort Mill, SC) See All My Reviews "I bought this set to round out my collection of Bach Cantatas and was not disappointed. There were only five duplications. I think this is a wonderful set to introduce someone to Bach's genius in this oeuvre. The performances seem very idiomatic to my ears. Solid, energetic, capturing the pathos of each piece. It makes this set a terrific value for the price. I recommend it." Report Abuse
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