JS Bach: Cantatas, Vol.38: BWV 52, 55, 58, 82

COMPOSERS: JS Bach
LABELS: BIS
ALBUM TITLE: JS Bach
WORKS: Cantatas, Vol.38: BWV 52, 55, 58, 82
PERFORMER: Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Gerd Türk (tenor), Peter Kooij (bass); Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki
CATALOGUE NO: SACD - 1631

Easily the best known piece here is Ich Habe genung (BWV 82) of which Bach made several versions. Masaaki Suzuki performs the original C minor one for Bass, including the intended oboeda caccia whose presence in the affecting lullaby 'Schlummert ein' is a masterstroke. Peter Kooij's tender, yearning account is more modestly stated than versions by his more extrovert rivals, which suits my sensibilities just fine. Fasche Welt (BWV 52) opens with an early version of the first movement of Brandenburg Concerto No.1, but its irresistible number is the polonaise-like second aria for soprano accompanied by a richly satisfying texture of three oboes, bassoon and continuo. Carolyn Sampson is on strong form, the oboes buoyant and the spirit of the aria captured with a more joyful abandon than Gustav Leonhardt's somewhat laboured account on Teldec. Gerd Türk, assisted by Suzuki's beautifully shaped phrasing, makes a stronger case for the austere ich armer Mensch (BWV 55) than any rival version that comes to mind; and the lyrical declamation of voices in the duet cantata BWV 58 is pleasingly balanced. Unusually for this meticulously presented series, the CD booklet marries that cantata number, BWV 58, to the wrong work and, furthermore, one which does not feature on the disk.