Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
Works: A Bach Album: Sinfonia after BWV 29/1; Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir – chorale melody; Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, after BWV 686; Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, after BWV 38/1; Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 687; Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir (verse 5), after BWV 38/6; Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr, after BWV 715a; Verschiedene Canones, BWV 1087; Meine Seele erhebet den Herren, after BWV 648; O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht, BWV 118; Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 432 (verses 1, 2); Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, after BWV 641; Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein, BWV 431; Vor deinen Thron tret ich, after BWV 668; Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (verse 1); Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, after BWV 659; Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (verse 3), after BWV 36/8; Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, after BWV 660; Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (verse 5), after BWV 62/6; Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, after BWV 661; Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren, after BWV 29/7
Performers: His Majesty’s Consort of Voices, His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts, directed from the organ by Timothy Roberts
Recording: November – December 2000, Church of St Jude-on-the-Hill, Hampstead, London
Label: HYPERION CDA 67247
Johann Sebastian Bach’s oeuvre is often regarded as the pinnacle of Baroque music, a treasure trove of intricate counterpoint and profound spirituality. The current album, a curious endeavor featuring His Majesty’s Sagbutts and Cornetts alongside choral forces, delves into Bach’s sacred music through a uniquely arranged lens. The ensemble’s choice to employ period instruments such as sackbuts and cornets, while anachronistic in its own right, aims to evoke a sound world that Bach himself might have recognized, albeit through a modern prism of interpretation and transcription.
The performance presents a mixture of chorales, canons, and transcriptions, many of which showcase Bach’s remarkable ability to adapt his music for various ensembles. The thematic cohesion of the album is both a strength and a limitation; the listener is exposed to multiple iterations of the same chorale, revealing the different textures and emotional depths that arise from each arrangement. For instance, the chorale “Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir,” sung by bass Robert MacDonald, embodies a stark simplicity, which is beautifully expressive and emotionally resonant. In contrast, the instrumental version, featuring cornetts and sackbuts, alters the character of the piece, introducing a bright, brassy timbre that transforms its solemnity into something more exuberant.
The recording quality is commendable, capturing the distinct tonal qualities of the sackbuts and cornets with clarity. However, not all choices yield favorable results. The opening Sinfonia, arranged after BWV 29/1, suffers from an imbalance between the overpowering brass and the more subdued organ, which detracts from the overall cohesiveness of the ensemble sound. Similarly, “Allein Gott in der Höh’ sei Ehr” emerges as a rather wooden interpretation, lacking the liveliness one might expect from such a piece. The instrumental timbre here does not lend itself well to the expressive nuances that Bach’s music demands.
Nevertheless, the performance of the “Fourteen Canons” (BWV 1087) stands out as a highlight of the album. The arrangement is inventive, allowing for a fresh perspective on these canons that follow the bass notes of the aria from the “Goldberg Variations.” It evokes a yearning for further explorations of Bach’s polyphonic genius, hinting at the potential of this ensemble to tackle more ambitious works, such as “The Art of Fugue.”
This recording offers a fascinating journey through select sacred works of Bach, interpreted through a distinctively original ensemble. While certain interpretations may falter, the overall endeavor is both intriguing and thought-provoking. The album ultimately succeeds in its aim of presenting Bach’s music in a manner that is both reverent and exploratory, making it a noteworthy addition to the discography of Bach interpretations. The innovative nature of this recording, despite its occasional shortcomings, reaffirms the enduring adaptability and depth of Bach’s sacred repertoire, inviting listeners to appreciate the music from a fresh perspective.
