|
Site review by Polly Nomial March 26, 2006
|
Performance: Sonics (S/MC): / |
This is my first exposure to Suzuki's Bach project and whilst it won't be my last it does make me sad that more of these fine musicians' work has not been captured in surround sound for SACD.
Before discussing the performances themselves, the notes from Klaus Hofmann (who appears to be the musicologist behind the project) are exemplary. They relate the music to the relevant biblical passages as well as discussing the music itself. Masaaki Suzuki also contributes an overview of how he chooses to perform Bach (in terms of texts and textures) which is interesting in its own right.
Quite rightly, the disc has the Easter Oratorio preceding the Ascension Oratorio. The opening instrumental numbers are played with suitable vigour and repose. The text of the opening chorus is very jolly and the whole ensemble gives a very nice lilt to the music which dances in joy at Christ's resurrection. The following recitative for all four soloists displays a more melancholic style (as does the subsequent despairing aria for soprano sung by Yukari Nonoshita with ravishing flute playing from Liliko Maeda) and the soloists all sing with admirable clarity and beauty of tone. The mood then picks up for Jan Kebow's aria about wiping tears of pain from his cheeks. After an aria of self-doubt from Patrick van Goethem (singing as a counter-tenor), there is a suitably upbeat final chorus delivered with enormous stylistic verve.
The Ascension Oratorio then completes the disc with comparable style and grace to the Easter Oratorio. Throughout the orchestral contributions are marvellous and often they are very beautiful (there are no HIP tuning problems as used to be the case all too often in the 1980's) and match the phrasing imparted by the soloists and chorus alike. The chorus itself is a genuine chorus (unlike in Bach: Mass in B minor - Konrad Junghänel) with 4 to a part; this surely has to be an ideal combination with purity of tone and unanimity of ensemble combined with great clarity.
The recording that BIS conjures from the Kobe Shoin Women's University Chapel is very beautiful and well balanced. Whilst the stereo recording is very good, the MCH layer opens up the sound in an entirely natural way. Thus the music, performance and recording are in perfect harmony.
All in all a real joy to the ears and the soul. A most appropriate release in the approach to Easter and one that all of Bach's and Suzuki's admirers should not hesitate to sample, if not buy.
(Purchased)
|
Copyright © 2006 John Broggio and SA-CD.net
|
|
