COMPOSERS: Bach
LABELS: BIS
WORKS: Arias from cantatas,
PERFORMER: Yoshikazu Mera (countertenor); Bach Collegium Japan/Masaaki Suzuki
CATALOGUE NO: CD-1129 Reissue (1996, 1998)
Yoshikazu Mera’s singing has been a constant feature of the earlier releases by the Bach Collegium Japan. Since becoming an idol of the pop world, however, he has deserted the Bach ship for the bright city lights. This disc offers an anthology of arias from four of Bach’s sacred cantatas, the Christmas Oratorio and the St John Passion. Mera’s plaintive vocal timbre suits the prevailing character of these particular pieces rather well. But what I like especially about his Bach-singing are his ability to sustain a line lyrically and his natural inclination towards gentle, undemonstrative inflection. The voice itself may not be a great one, but his sensibility is gratifying. Nicholas Anderson
Bach: Arias from cantatas,
Yoshikazu Mera’s singing has been a constant feature of the earlier releases by the Bach Collegium Japan. Since becoming an idol of the pop world, however, he has deserted the Bach ship for the bright city lights. This disc offers an anthology of arias from four of Bach’s sacred cantatas, the Christmas Oratorio and the St John Passion. Mera’s plaintive vocal timbre suits the prevailing character of these particular pieces rather well.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 1:22 pm