J. S. BACH
Bach: St John Passion Bach Collegium Japan chorus & orchestra / Masaaki Suzuki (conductor) [ BIS / 2 CD - released 4/Sep/2020 ] "Here we have a reading that feels as if, deep in the psyche of the performers, they know this is all happening close to the wire. Gilchrist is again on masterly form, risking pinpoint precision for graphic description." Gramophone |
J.S. BACH
Brandenburg Concertos Bach Collegium Japan directed by Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / 2 CD - released 3/Jul/2001 ] Includes the early version of No 5-first movement |
J. S. BACH
A Choral Year with J.S. Bach Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / CD - released 1/Aug/2010 ] In order to celebrate the Bach Collegium Japan's 20th anniversary - and indeed the 15th anniversary of the start of the cantata cycle - Suzuki has now devised a compilation of some of his personal favourites among the choral movements from the cantatas. |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Gloria In Excelsis Deo (Blu-ray) Hana Blažíková (soprano), Robin Blaze (counter-tenor), Gerd Türk (tenor), Peter Kooij (bass) /Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS Blu-ray / Blu-ray Disc - released 17/May/2017 ] "The performances of the three cantatas on this Blu-ray are of course superb; from the most prominent soloists to the back desk of the violins, all are now seasoned performers, and it shows." MusicWeb |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Overtures (Four Orchestral Suites) Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS SACD / 2 Hybrid SACD - released 1/Aug/2005 ] "These performances are magnificent, and offering two SACDs for the price of one makes them a good deal too. Suzuki does more than just play the music very well: he evokes its purpose, social milieu, and lavishness of content in such a way that... |
J.S. BACH
Six Brandenburg Concertos / Four Orchestral Suites Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / 3 Hybrid SACD - released 1/Aug/2009 ] "First-class engineering and generous timings (nearly 70 minutes per disc) make this set a prime recommendation if you are looking for this repertoire on period instruments. Outstanding in every way." (10/10 ClassicsToday.com) |
LUDWIG van BEETHOVEN
Beethoven: Missa Solemnis Ann-Helen Moen (soprano), Roxana Constantinescu (mezzo-soprano), James Gilchrist (tenor) / Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 9/Feb/2018 ] "All performers are in superb form and recorded with pristine clarity and balance. This is a must-listen - a different Beethoven comes forth with sublime beauty and insights beyond the symphony." (Nicholas Butler) |
J. S. BACH / MARCO GIOSEPPE PERANDA
Lutheran Masses Volume 2 Hana Blažiková, Joanne Lun, Aki Matsui, Peter Kooij, Robin Blaze, Dominik Wörner / Bach Collegium Japan, Maasaki Suzuki [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 10/Dec/2015 ] The two Lutheran Masses recorded here make extensive use of earlier compositions by Bach and include reworkings of arias and choruses from cantatas, but each of the four masses also has its own unmistakable artistic profile |
J. S. BACH
Secular Cantatas Vol III [BWV 173a, 202 "Wedding", 36c, 524] Joanne Lunn (soprano), Hiroya Aoki (counter-tenor), Makoto Sakurada (tenor) & Roderick Williams (baritone) / Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki [ Bis SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Aug/2013 ] Although two of the works on this disc were composed for weddings, they are completely different in character. Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten is a charming and gracious garland of recitatives and arias for soprano solo in which Spring, Flora, Apollo... |
J. S. BACH
Secular Cantatas Vol VI: Trauerode [BWV198 & BWV1083] Carolyn Sampson, Joanne Lunn (sopranos), Robin Blaze (counter-ten), Gerd Türk (tenor) & Dominik Wörner (bass) / Bach Collegium Japan directed by Masaa [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 10/Mar/2016 ] Although Bach's sacred cantatas span a huge expressive range and display a striking stylistic diversity, they were all composed for performance during a church service. In the case of the secular cantatas, on the other hand, their respective purpose... |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Requiem / Vesperae solennes de confessore Carolyn Sampson, Marianne Beate Kielland, Makato Sakurada, Christian Immler / Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 10/Oct/2014 ] "I enjoyed this disc very much and found the expert performances very stimulating. As it's a BIS disc it seems almost superfluous to comment on standards of presentation." (MusicWeb Feb 2015) |
W. A. MOZART
Mozart: Great Mass in C minor, K427 / Exsultate, jubilate, K165 Carolyn Sampson, Olivia Vermeulen, Makoto Sakurada, Christian Immler / Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 20/Nov/2016 ] "The choir are well drilled and the two female soloists are matched as well as any on disc...Suzuki is no speed merchant, and maintains the through line in more strenuous movements" Gramophone Award WINNER 2017 |
J. S. BACH
Mass in B minor Carolyn Sampson, Rachel Nicholls (sopranos) Robin Blaze (alto) Gerd Tark (tenor) / Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS SACD / 2 Hybrid SACD - released 1/Sep/2007 ] GRAMOPHONE MAGAZINE AWARD FINALIST 2008 - Baroque Vocal - "Among the handful of best recordings made, regardless of style." (MusicWeb Jan 2008) |
J.S. BACH
Cantatas (Vol.30): Alles mit Gott / Cantata BWV51 plus bonus track Carolyn Sampson (soprano) / Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki (conductor) [ BIS / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Jan/2006 ] Rosette Recording - Penguin Stereo Guide |
J.S. BACH
Cantatas (Vol 38) BWV52, BWV82 (bass version), BWV55 & BWV58 Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Gerd Tark (tenor) Peter Kooij (bass) / Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Jan/2008 ] "Easily the best-known piece here is Ich habe genug (BWV 82). Peter Kooij's tender, yearning account is more modestly stated than versions by his more extrovert rivals. Gerd Türk, assisted by Suzuki's beautifully shaped phrasing, makes a stronger... |
J.S. BACH
Cantatas (Vol 42) BWV13, BWV16, BWV32 & BWV72 Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Gerd Tark (tenor) Peter Kooij (bass) / Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Jan/2009 ] The present volume in the cantata cycle of the Bach Collegium Japan and Masaaki Suzuki consists of four works all written for performances in January 1726. Among these is the New Year's cantata Herr Gott, dich loben wir, BWV16 (Lord God, we praise you). |
J. S. BACH
Secular Cantatas Vol 1: BWV210 'The Wedding', BWV211 'The Coffee' Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Makoto Sakurada (tenor) Stephan Schreckenberger (bass) / Bach Collegium Japan directed by Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / CD - released 1/Oct/2004 ] "From a purely musical point of view this is a very good recording. Carolyn Sampson has a beautiful, warm and yet clear voice, which is well suited to this kind of music. Her German pronunciation is quite good too. The other singers - in the Coffee... |
J. S. BACH
Bach: Cantatas (Vol 41) (Nos BWV56, 82, 84, 156) Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Peter Kooij (bass) / Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS SACD / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Oct/2008 ] Masaaki Suzuki here concentrates on the so-called solo cantatas, providing an opportunity for two of the highly acclaimed soloists of this series, Carolyn Sampson and Peter Kooij, to shine even more brightly. |
J.S. BACH
Cantatas (Vol 34) Nos 1, 126 & 127 Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Robin Blaze (counter-tenor) Gerd Tark (tenor) Peter Kooij (bass) / Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Jan/2007 ] " Masaaki Suzuki's poised grandeur brings considerable richness to this marvellous score, a sparkling duo of solo violins offset deftly against the full ivory texture of high horns and low oboes in the chorus, and joined by top-drawer solo singing."... |
J.S. BACH
Cantatas, Vol.39 (BWV28, 68, 175, 183) Carolyn Sampson (soprano) Robin Blaze (counter-tenor) Peter Kooij (bass) / Bach Collegium Japan / Masaaki Suzuki [ BIS / Hybrid SACD - released 1/Apr/2008 ] After two volumes concentrating on solo cantatas, the full forces - including the splendid choir - of Bach Collegium Japan return in this programme of five cantatas dated 1725. The choir instantly makes its presence felt in the first movement of the... |