Search - Bach, Kirkby, Goodman :: Hunt Cantata

While this cantata may be filled with high-quality music, people usually seek it out for the original version of the famous "Sheep may safely graze" (done magically here by Emma Kirkby and two recorders). But this disc contains other treasures, such as Jennifer Smith (in unusually good voice) singing a robust hunting aria with two gutsy horns and a charming love duet with tenor Simon Davies. Since no overture or other introduction to this cantata survives, Roy Goodman begins with the opening movement of the first Brandenburg Concerto (which has the same scoring and key); he finishes the disc with the same concerto's dance suite. The instruments--especially the valveless horns--are flawlessly played; the soloists, who perform the choruses as well, sing very nicely indeed. --Matthew Westphal