Cantatas, Volume 5 Main Performer or Conductor: Masaaki Suzuki Accompaniment/Orchestra: Bach Collegium Japan Soloists: Midori Suzuki Ingrid Schmithü sen Yoshikazu Mera Makato Sakurada Peter Kooij Instrumentation: Choir Harpsichord Orchestra Organ Individual Works: Cantatas: Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt BWV 18 Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn BWV 152 Mein Gott, wie lang, ach lange BWV 155 Komm, du süße Todesstunde BWV 161 Format: Compact Disc Record Label: BIS Catalog Number: BIS-CD-841 Year Released/Recorded: 1997 Total Playing Time: 78'17" Comments: Todd M. Billeci said: These cantatas are played very beautifully. I don't think I've ever heard the Recitatives sung as well. Kooij (bass) is particularly memorable. However, I was dissatisfied with the interpretation of BWV 18. In the sinfonia, textures are muddied by perpetual legato phrasing in the violas & an overabundance of middle voices that obscures the imitation. There is so much reverb that I count 2-3 seconds of ringing after tutti chords. In the Chorale and Recitative, the tempo increases during passages where the meaning of the text is plaintive and anguished, and which JSB scored for a single voice (soprano) to portray the longing human spirit in prayer. The soprano aria, on the other hand, is sung woefully, to an affirmative text! Those interested in hearing a reading of BWV 18 where the interpretation matches the text, try Harnoncourt w/ Concentus Musicus Wien. It may not be as polished (it uses boy trebles) but it makes a bit more sense. Acknowledgements: Thank you to the following for submitting this recording and for your comments: Todd M. Billeci Date First Submitted: 09/17/1998 Purchasing: Suggested Purchasing Sources Note: Inclusion in this database does not guarantee the availability of any recording. Some recordings may be out-of-print or no longer available.