BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

SDG134 Bach Cantatas Vol 6 (14 Nov 2007)

It's little short of miraculous that , during their year-long pilgrimage, Gardiner and his forces could arrive at a new church, which was chosen for its historical signifance rather than as a recording venue, rehearse, record and perform the surviving cantatas for that week within the church's year, and move on elsewhere for the following week. The rae energy of such a schedule characterises the performances - rhythmic excitement, adrenalin pumping - but Gardiner is subtle too. HE contrasts dazzling trumpets, drums and full wind, strings and chorus which open BWV 69a with solo voices singing the continuo-accompanied episodes. He argues convincingly for a chamber-sized audience as soloist in BWV 35. One startling decision was to bend the limited notes of a natural trumpet rather than use a slide trumpet for BWV 77 - a hauntingly frail thread of sound in the fifth movement. Gardiner's notes provide a heart-felt explanation of the allegorical symbolism in this special cantata.