COMPOSERS: Bach
LABELS: Philips
WORKS: Easter Oratorio; Ascension Oratorio
PERFORMER: Monika Frimmer, Ralf Popken, Christoph Prégardien, David Wilson-JohnsonOrchestra & Choir of the Age of Enlightenment/Gustav Leonhardt
CATALOGUE NO: 442 119-2 DDD
The strangely neglected Easter Oratorio began as a secular birthday cantata, was parodied for sacred use and was then reworked yet again into its present form – proof of Bach’s own affection for it. Leonhardt directs with bounding rhythms and expressive subtlety. Crisp orchestral sound, brightly coloured solo playing, a chorus of fresh voices, finely matched soloists – this is irresistible stuff, despite some blemishes in editing. Don’t miss it. George Pratt
Bach: Easter Oratorio; Ascension Oratorio
The strangely neglected Easter Oratorio began as a secular birthday cantata, was parodied for sacred use and was then reworked yet again into its present form – proof of Bach’s own affection for it. Leonhardt directs with bounding rhythms and expressive subtlety. Crisp orchestral sound, brightly coloured solo playing, a chorus of fresh voices, finely matched soloists – this is irresistible stuff, despite some blemishes in editing. Don’t miss it. George Pratt
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:33 pm