Bach: Cantatas Vol 1: BWV7, 30, 167; BWV20, 39, 75

RECORDING OF THE YEAR FINALIST Gramophone Magazine 2005

Recording of the Month Gramophone Magazine (March 2005)

"The first steps on this Bach pilgrimage lift the heart for the journey to come. This was a gloriously ambitious and, in the end, toweringly successful enterprise. And now, beautifully packaged, come the recordings from that year, containing some of Bach's most extraordinary and under-valued music. Now's your chance to start on a really rewarding journey."
(Gramophone)

Live recording from the Bach Cantata Pilgrimage.
St. Giles Cripplegate, London, England

"The most immediate impression after several rounds of listening to the albums is that Gardiner has improved. In his early recordings of Bach Cantatas I observed some tendency to over-simplification. During the comparative listening I did for the weekly cantata reviews of the first cycle of cantata discussions, I have noticed that many times I missed in Gardiner's renditions details revealed in other performances, HIP and non-HIP alike. Sometimes he even sounded too rush and aggressive, as if the music was not so important to him. Now it seems that Gardiner has come to terms with Bach's music. He is closer to it and understands it better. He has discovered how rich these works are. How many possibilities they give to the interpreter. How many facets they have. How complicated and sophisticated the writing of Bach is. This sophistication, balanced with the right amount of humanity, are the essence of Bach's music and should be brought out to the listeners. Based on the new albums, Gardiner is very successful in achieving this mission."
- http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Performers/Gardiner-P1&2.htm