This is a most welcome reissue. Originally released in 1995 on Auvidis/Astrée, it brings together a group of exceptional vocalists and Baroque instrumentalists to create unmatched performances of these solo-voice cantatas that also call for the uniquely warm and beautiful voice of the five-string violoncello piccolo. Director/cellist Christophe Coin knowingly, sensitively sets his tempos and offers gorgeous solo passagework that ideally complements the voices–exemplified in his “duet” with soprano Barbara Schlick in the Chorale of BWV 199, one of Bach’s loveliest solo-voice/obbligato-instrument creations. Schlick’s voice always seems perfect for Bach–its clear timbre and gently quivery vibrato combines with an underlying plaintive quality that affectingly embodies the deep religious themes in Bach’s cantatas. The other soloists here are equally superb, notably a young(er), golden-voiced Andreas Scholl.
These are performances in which everything comes together in service of the music–not only its meaning but its inherent beauty, which these performers happily exploit to the fullest. And there also are nice touches, such as the use of the recording venue’s Silbermann organ for the continuo–and the delightful appearance of what sounds like a cymbelstern stop at the conclusion of the chorale that closes the disc (from BWV 175). An essential acquisition for any serious Bach collection! [6/22/2007]
