Johann Sebastian Bach, Dresden Chamber Choir, Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Helmut - Favourite Arias And Choruses

Published Saturday 29th May 2010
Johann Sebastian Bach, Dresden Chamber Choir, Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Helmut - Favourite Arias And Choruses
Johann Sebastian Bach, Dresden Chamber Choir, Cologne Chamber Orchestra, Helmut - Favourite Arias And Choruses

STYLE: Classical
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 94651-
LABEL: Naxos 8553257
FORMAT: CD Album
RELEASE DATE: 1998-07-08
RRP: £5.87

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This CD reminded me why I would rather be a critic than a record company executive. My first thoughts on seeing the track listing were snarky as I picked out all my favourites that were conspicuous by their absence. So next I attempted to compile my own personal selection which gave me the makings of a pretty good boxed set. Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) wrote to such a consistently high standard that any selection of favourites has to be personal and if some of my choices are different this does not detract from what is a fine compilation. There are generous extracts from Bach's Mass in B minor (BWV 51) and the St Matthew Passion (BVW 244) although I often wonder if it is right to take tracks from such weighty works as they really belong in the context of the entire piece. But if we want choruses and arias then cuts there have to be. All the soloists are up to the mark and are, in order of appearance, Siri Thornhill (soprano), Ann Hallenberg (alto), Markus Schafer (tenor), Hanno Muller-Brachmann (bass-baritone), Marianne Beate-Kielland (alto), and Claudia Couwenbergh (soprano). We offer the usual caveat on enterprises such as this: all these pieces have been recorded many times before and all these recordings have been released by Naxos and would, in point of fact, make a very nice boxed set. This particular disc is a representative selection of Bach's sacred music and will appeal both to the experienced music lover and to those just beginning to discover this immortal music. At the usual Naxos budget price you really cannot go wrong.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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