Bach: Easter & Ascension Oratorios

Presented here are two of Bach's largest creations, conducted by Matthew Halls and featuring Carolyn Sampson (soprano), Iestyn Davies (countertenor), James Gilchrist (tenor) and Peter Harvey (bass), along with the Retrospect 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. This recording brings to life the stories of the four main characters through the talented and inspired story telling of the soloists and the passion and force of the Retrospect Ensemble. The skill and brilliance of Bach's writing of these oratorios is brought out with this dynamic recording and shouldn't be missed!

A 24-bit 192 kHz studio master for this album is available from the Linn Records website.

CKD373  70 minutes 4 seconds
'Matthew Halls neatly juxtaposes bustling vitality and an unforced conversational quality in the first part of the Sinfonia [of the Easter Oratorio], with the three natural trumpets sounding particula ...
BBC Music Magazine
'In the 1730s Bach drew together elements of his sacred music, most famously in the six cantatas of the Christmas Oratorio. His two works for the present period of the church year are equally fascinat ...