Users' Reviews
By JD88992
12-Jul-2012
Bach in brief The great BWV catalog of Bach's music groups six shorter vocal pieces together as "the motets", though scholars debate whether there may have been more of them, now lost. Unlike his major choral works and cantatas, there is no accompaniment provided for most of these, so there's no consensus about the use of instruments in their performance, either. All agree, however, that these brief pieces--apparently written for funeral or memorial services--display Bach's art in miniature.
I always enjoy listening to the Monteverdi Choir, but I had to marvel at the lightness of some of the singing in this recording. (They make it sound so easy!) Although the music often seems to fly by, and there's a very dance-like feel to it, tempi are actually slower than Harnoncourt employs with a larger chorus. In addition to the canonical Six, Gardiner also includes Ich lasse dich nicht, a less intricate work. The physical album comes in the usual SDG mini-hardcover, with texts and essays.
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By EE115671
20-Sep-2012
Gardiner, Monteverdi Choir set standard for Bach Motets The motet format, considered basic and compulsory achievement for the Baroque era, reaches a pinnacle of excellence consistent with tradition through the work of the Monteverdi Choir under the direction of John Eliot Gardiner. This performance of Six Motets by J.S. Bach, recorded at St. John’s at Smith Square in London during October 2011, will stand as example and standard for choirs reaching for performance excellence. And it seems to be within easy reach for all in the choir. No section dominates, but when one states a motif, another answers equally; balance and expression are precise and perfectly timed. The familiar chorales with repetition, counterpoint, and embellishments bring fresh appreciation for the motet for four-part or six-part minimally accompanied choir.
The clever cover illustration, inner cover, and unique booklet/case remind the audience that this group fully grasps the intricacies of this music. Parts share equally the clarity of line and lilt, elocution, and emotion in this stellar presentation of church music. The accompanying booklet notes by Sir Gardiner further explain the individual motets to enrich the enjoyment of the listener.
This collection will be a valuable addition to the collection of a scholar, choir director, library, or general listener for the further appreciation of the genius of J.S. Bach.
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Published Reviews
WETA
29-Oct-2012
It’s been thirty years since the Monteverdi Choir recorded the six Bach motets for the Erato label, and these notoriously difficult-to-perform works have not gotten easier. However, the Choir sang them all, as well as a motet-like early work, Ich lasse dich nicht, to ecstatic reviews at a series of concerts in St John’s, Smith Square, London in October 2011. Said The Evening Standard, “Precision, purity of tone, strong rhythmic definition, clear diction…Bach’s motets are ideally suited to the Monteverdi Choir.” Even more emotive is this from The Times: “If all the world’s depressed people had somehow been squeezed into St John’s to hear this concert, the pharmaceutical companies would be out of business.”
On the Soli Deo Gloria label, established in 2005 by conductor John Eliot Gardiner and his ensembles for the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage, this recording includes extensive notes by Gardiner. One page includes a diagram of the musical scaffolding Bach engineered to support the text in Jesu meine Freude, BWV 227 © 2012 WETA Read complete review
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