This CD is reissued by ArkivMusic.
Notes and Editorial Reviews
Here is the second volume of Bach's cantatas for solo soprano, sung by Nancy Argenta with Ensemble Sonnerie directed by Monica H Liggett. I greatly enjoyed the previous issue. containing Nos. 51, 82 and 199 (Virgin Classics, 12/94), though not without reservation. Of the three works on this new disc, No. 84 is the only sacred cantata, belonging to Bach's fourth year at Leipzig when he performed it at Septuagesitna. Unlike the better-known fell &the genug (No. 82), its two alternating recitatives and arias are followed by a four-part chorale set to a melody which occupies an important place in Bach's work, Wer our den lichen Gott /asst 10//en. Nos. 202 and 209 are, respectively, a wedding cantata - though not one which is linked in any
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way to the marriage service – and a piece commemorating the departure on a journey of an unidentified friend, presumably of the composer, whoever he may have been, since Bach's authorship is also sometimes questioned. Bach or not, it is a very engaging work with an extended concerto movement for flute and strings in B minor in which Bach unquestionably must have had at least a hand. As in the previous programme, the performances are very good indeed and, though in one or two places less polished technically, are more satisfying to my ears. This is especially so in the case of Nos. 202 and 209, for in No. 841 felt a blandness of sentiment, an awareness that the text, admittedly no masterpiece, had been relegated to a position of relative insignificance. Bach's oboe writing poses some difficulties, too, and there were occasional moments of tonal insecurity in the otherwise lyrical playing of Paul Goodwin. Both this cantata and No. 202 are dominated by oboe writing rich in fantasy and this aspect is well understood by Goodwin, above all in the wonderfully expressive opening arias of each work. Argenta'5 youthful voice is well suited to all this music yet it is, perhaps, especially alluring in the Italian cantata, No. 209, in whose more galant idiom she sounds completely at home. This is a captivating performance in which Arg,enta is sensitively partnered by the limpid flute playing of Lisa Beznositik. In short, there are few disappointments here and much that will refresh the spirit. Recommended.
-- Gramophone [6/1995]
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Works on This Recording
1.
Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, das mir der liebe Gott beschert, BWV 84 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Nancy Argenta (Soprano),
Paul Goodwin (Oboe)
Conductor:
Monica Huggett
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ensemble Sonnerie
Period: Baroque
Written: 1727; Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 05/1993
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London
Length: 13 Minutes 40 Secs.
Language: German
2.
Non sa che sia dolore, BWV 209 by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Lisa Beznosiuk (Flute),
Nancy Argenta (Soprano)
Conductor:
Monica Huggett
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ensemble Sonnerie
Period: Baroque
Written: ?1734; Leipzig, Germany
Date of Recording: 05/1993
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London
Length: 20 Minutes 44 Secs.
Language: Italian
3.
Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten, BWV 202 "Wedding Cantata" by Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Paul Goodwin (Oboe),
Nancy Argenta (Soprano)
Conductor:
Monica Huggett
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Ensemble Sonnerie
Period: Baroque
Written: circa 1718-1723; Cöthen, Germany
Date of Recording: 05/1993
Venue: Henry Wood Hall, London
Length: 19 Minutes 42 Secs.
Language: German
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