The lead-up to Lent finds Bach in arrestingly contemplative mood. A host of soloists join Sir John Eliot Gardiner, The Monteverdi Choir and The English Baroque Soloists for these performances recorded in Naarden, Holland, and Southwell Minster.
SDG153 95 minutes 5 seconds (2 discs)
'Gardiner's forces are on splendid form in another exceptional volume' (Gramophone) 'Expressive fervour and eloquent phrasing with which the excellent singers of the Monteverdi Choir infuse their performance. There are also some splendid solo contributions, notably from tenors James ... 'Fine performances all round, but the palm as ever has to go to Bach himself: the amazing central fresco of BWV 18 is far more dramatic than most operas of the time' (The Observer)