Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Jeremy Summerly, Nicholas Ward :: Bach: Magnificat, BWV 243; Cantata, BWV 82

Well-performed Bach Masterpieces

R. Rockwell | Brooklyn, NY USA | 12/21/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I do not usually have multiple interpretations of classical works simply because i cannot afford them.But I do have an affinity for Bach's Magnificat and own one by Gardiner and Rilling. This recording can stand in the ranks of those others. The cantata 84 is also included and is as well done. Purists for period instruments would be the people who would not enjoy these moving and uplifing performances."

Stylish

J. De Sapio | Washington, DC | 05/12/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even as period-instrument bands dominate baroque music performance today, many small chamber orchestras demonstrate that it is possible to give stylish, restrained, crisply articulated performances of baroque music on modern instruments. When I compare this rendition of the Bach Magnificat to a period-instrument, one-singer-to-a-part version with Andrew Parrot on Virgin, the latter comes off sounding like a parody of authentic performance practice (rushed tempos, pallid vibrato-less tone, ugly lunging swells on suspensions) while this Naxos version sounds like a model of good taste and fine music making - from orchestra and vocal soloists alike."