Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Record labels do not throw away their money by pressing on with series that have neither artistic merit not commercial demand so for Masaaki Suzuki and his Bach Collegium Japan to have reached Volume 35 testifies to the quality both of composer and performers. The four cantatas on this CD date from May 1725, the end of Bach's second year in Leipzig. The English titles are "On Christ's Ascension Alone" (BWV 128), "There Is A Daring And Shy Thing" (BVW 176), "Hitherto Have Ye Asked Nothing In My Name" (BVW 87), and "If A Man Love Me, He Will Keep My Words" (BVW 74). That this reviewer would not place any of these in his list of top ten cantatas is evidence for the amazing quality that Bach maintained over the years. As well as the music there is much else to enjoy. The sound quality is stunning, even on my worn-out old CD player. This disc is a hybrid that can also be played on a SACD so there's something to look forward to (hint, hint). The Choir and four soloists (Yukari Nonoshita, soprano; Robin Blaze, counter-tenor; Makoto Sakurada, tenor; Peter Kooij, bass) are all first-class and the Japanese singers produce a very creditable German accent and the instrumentalists are also superb.

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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