The volume was turned slightly higher than my normal listening level when I began playing this CD–and it was a happy coincidence. The room-filling brilliance of the trumpets at the opening of BWV 207, immediately joined by the resounding orchestra, then the exuberant chorus–with such life-like presence and larger-than-life impact–was a reminder of how viscerally affecting recordings can be. Of course, it helps to have such scintillating, dynamic, celebratory music to command the scene, but nevertheless, Bach’s rarely-heard “Vereinigte Zwietracht…” never has been recorded with this kind of musical virtuosity, dominating energy, and sheer excitement. The same goes for Philippe Herreweghe’s rendition of the more often-recorded “Tönet, ihr Pauken!”, whose vibrant exclamations–both instrumental and vocal–and ability to convey the essence of the work’s celebratory character place it in a class by itself.
The choir and orchestra are beyond reproach, and the soloists, often the weak links in performances of Bach’s cantatas, are among the finest anyone could employ (and not surprisingly, Herreweghe uses them regularly). If you’re looking for an excellent–make that unequalled–recording of two of Bach’s most invigorating and musically compelling cantatas, look no further. Yes, it’s supposed to be Mozart’s “year”, but this is one case where he may be momentarily–and justifiably–upstaged. [1/17/2006]
