Cantatas Vol 17: BWV143, BWV41, BWV16; BWV171, BWV153, BWV58

"So this is one of the more interesting releases to come along, peppered with Gardiner's unique musical and spiritual way with Bach, the multiple soloists and chorus members doing their all to pay attention in these mostly live performances as little rehearsal time was offered, and the ensemble often found itself winging its way along, which ultimately makes these readings that much more alive and vibrant, as good as any on the market. The sound remains clear and warm in this difficult recording venue, and so the journey continues."
(**** AudAud.com)

The final volume to be released during 2008 in John Eliot Gardiner's award-winning Bach cantata pilgrimage series on SDG. Recorded in January 2000 within the grand neo-Gothic Gethsemanekirche in Prenzlauer Berg, Berlin, the programme features Cantatas for New Year's Day and for the Sunday after New Year. In contrast to the modest BWV 143 Lobe den Herrn, meine Seele II that opens the programme, Bach begins BWV 41 Jesu, nun sei gepreiset with the fantastically grand opening chorus, Jesu, nun sei gepreiset. The jewel in this particular cantata is the tenor aria 'Woferne du den edlen Frieden' (No.4), wonderfully rich and descriptive. BWV 171 Gott, wie dein Name, so ist auch dein Ruhm is equally magnificent as a cantata replete with emotional and thematic contrast. As the tenor (No.4) pleads for salvation in BWV 153 Schau, lieber Gott, wie meine Feind, crying '…help, Helper, help! Save my soul!', we are reminded that our afflictions have been heard as the alto (No.8) sings of the 'blessed rapture and eternal joy' of heaven. BWV 58 Ach Gott, wie manches Herzeleid II continues this theme of the beleaguered Christian. This is beautifully illustrated through the use of the distressed, persecuted soul (soprano) in dialogue with a guardian angel, by implication, Jesus (bass).