Customer Reviews

Please, sir, may I have an entire galaxy of stars for this? - By: Teemacs, 02 Apr 2007
Brilliant. Absolutely, stunningly, mind-blowingly brilliant. This was the kick-off concert for the Gardiner Bach cantata pilgrimage of 2000, performedin the Herderkirche, Weimar. I have Gardiner's CD of the Weihnachtsoratorium, which I previously regarded as the best version. Not any more. This knocks spots off it. Soloists (vocal & instrumental), the EBS & of course the marvellous Monteverdis are on top form & the whole thing crackles with excitement. Gardiner clearly has a ball; no routine music-making this, this is passionate with a capital P. He also has a feeling for the dance-like rhythmsin much of the piece - just listen to the Monteverdis sizzle through the skittering opening chorale of Cantata 5 & see how long you can stop your feet from tapping. I amin danger of wearing all the pits off this. If you love Bach, you MUST have this.