Cantatas Vol 20: BWV18, BWV84, BWV92 & BWV126; BWV144, BWV181

"The standards of performance and presentation are as high in this latest instalment of Gardiner's cantata cycle as they have been in previous issues. The series continues its impressive progress."
(MusicWeb April 2009)

As the solemn Lenten period prior to Easter approaches, Soli Deo Gloria releases the next instalment in its award-winning Bach Cantata series with a double album featuring cantatas for the second (Sexagesima) and third (Septuagesima) Sunday before Lent, recorded live in February 2000.

The programme opens with Bach's first Leipzig cycle, BWV 144 Nimm, was dein ist, und gehe hin. Following the magnificent bold and uncompromising opening, the moral of the cantata is beautifully portrayed in Murre nicht, lieber Christ - an aria set as a minuet for alto over a pulsating string accompaniment to represent the mutterings of dissatisfied Christians.

In contrast, the engaging five-movement work for solo soprano, oboe and strings, BWV 84 Ich bin vergnügt mit meinem Glücke, has no mention of the disgruntled work-force, but only of being 'content with my good fortune that dear God bestows on me.' Gardiner stresses this sentiment by making the choir sing the final chorale Ich leb indes in dir vergnüget ('I live meanwhile content in thee') a cappella and quietly.

We then head to Southwell Minster for the three Cantatas for Sexagesima. The first two focus upon the Gospel theme of the day, the parable of the sower (Luke 8: 4-15) Superbly exemplified in BWV 18 Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt where Bach adds two extra viola parts to the score. The magically dark-hued sonority four violas bring stresses the overwhelming power of the Word and forms 'an ideal seed-bed in which God's word may germinate and prosper.'