Featuring Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Iestyn Davies (countertenor), James Gilchrist (tenor), Peter Harvey (bass) this is a spectacular performance of Bach’s choral music led by Matthew Halls.
This, the second release of the highly anticipated Retrospect Ensemble series, features the Easter Oratorio, one of Bach’s best-known oratorios and a monumental work, as well as the Ascension Oratorio. Retrospect Ensemble employs large-scale forces for this recording including four-part choir and orchestra (including timpani). This dynamic recording highlights the skill and brilliance of Bach’s writing through the inspired story telling of its star soloists and the passion of the Ensemble.
The Oratorio is a unique genre which is known for its enormous structure and epic tales, often including biblical references. The Easter Oratorio and the Ascension Oratorio featured here, tell stories through four characters: Mary Mother of James, Mary Magdalene, Peter and John, which celebrates the death and resurrection of Jesus at Easter.
In its ‘first large-scale performance’ in its association with Linn Records, the Retrospect Ensemble, its company of soloists and conductor Matthew Halls, can boast renditions of Bach’s Easter and Ascension oratorios as fine as – or better than – any in the catalog. With their well-chosen soloists (not a weak link among them!), expert, energetic ensemble singing, and vibrant instrumental work, enlivened by Halls’ buoyant rhythmic sense and ideally-judged tempos these performances leave no moment for you to relax your attention; indeed, for me at least, even after a half-dozen hearings they retain the freshness of the first one, and part of this is owing to the recording’s very appealing ambience, extraordinary clarity and balance, and natural presence.
The more poignant sections–and there are a couple of Bach’s most affecting examples, exhibited in the gorgeous arias for tenor in the Easter and for alto in the Ascension–are accompanied with thoughtful care and sung as well as we could hope for, by James Gilchrist in the former and Iestyn Davies in the latter. Likewise, the opening orchestral sinfonia of the Easter Oratorio and the closing Chorale of the Ascension (with its dancing Handelian string figures) are captivating expressions of some of Bach’s most joyful music, highlighted by exemplary instrumental ensemble playing. An excellent essay by Nia Lewis, discussing the issue of parody and Bach’s practice relative to these oratorios, and, most fascinating, Bach’s application of musical-rhetorical figures throughout the two works, is a delightful bonus. Highly recommended!
–ClassicsToday
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: I. Sinfonia
03:53
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: II. Adagio
03:39
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: III. Chorus & Duetto. Kommt, eilet und laufet
04:41
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: IV. Recitativo. O kalter Manner Sinn
00:52
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: V. Aria. Seele, deine Spezereien
10:49
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: VI. Recitativo. Hier ist die Gruft
00:37
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: VII. Aria. Sanfte soll mein Todeskummer
07:15
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: VIII. Recitativo. Indessen seufzen wir
00:51
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: IX. Aria. Saget, saget mir geschwinde
05:40
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: X. Recitativo. Wir sind erfreuet
00:33
Easter Oratorio, BWV. 249: XI. Chorus. Preis und Dank
02:27
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: I. Chorus. Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen
04:31
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: II. Evangelist. Der Herr Jesus hub seine Hande auf
00:26
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: III. Recitativo. Ach, Jesu, ist dein Abschied schon so nah?
01:07
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: IV. Aria. Ach, bleibe doch, mein liebstes Leben
08:12
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: V. Evangelist. Und ward aufgehoben zusehends
00:28
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: VI. Chorale. Nun lieget alles unter dir
01:15
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: VII. Evangelist. Und da sie ihm nachsahen gen Himmel fahren
00:56
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: VIII. Recitativo. Ach ja! So komme bald zuruck
00:34
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: IX. Evangelist. Sie aber beteten ihn an
00:39
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: X. Aria. Jesu, deine Gnadenblicke
06:56
Ascension Oratorio, BWV. 11: XI. Chorale. Wenn soll es doch geschehen
04:01
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