Cantatas Vol 22 (Nos 7, 20, 94)

Those who are familiar with earlier volumes know what to expect: a treasure store of musical masterpieces - most of which very few people have ever heard - performed with utter conviction and consummate musical skill. Volume XXII is of particular interest in that it introduces a new departure in Bach's cantata production. The cantatas on this disc were all written in Leipzig in 1724, the second centenary of the German hymnbook. Instead of illustrating the gospel appointed for the Sunday in question, each of these cantatas is based on one of the famous Reformation hymns. The first and last movements of these cantatas consist of a verse of the hymn while the various recitatives and arias in between elaborate the theological ideas. The three Leipzig cantatas on this disc are all large-scale works with particularly rich sonorities - trumpet, flute and oboe d'amore respectively adding colour to the usual string and continuo forces. As the cantata series progresses all the virtues of the musical forces - Masaaki Suzuki, vocal and instrumental soloists and the choir and orchestra of the Bach Collegium Japan - are as apparent as ever but seem now to be reinforced by a sense of naturalness and enjoyment in performance that makes listening as delightful as it is instructive and inspiring. Bach would surely have listened with a sense of wonder and a very contented smile on his face?