), Big Boxes: Éric Heidsieck’s Erato and HMV Recordings, Virtuosi Singing And Playing–Rossini Tenors, Crumb’s Metamorphoses (Book 1): True to Form, Elmas’ Chopinesque (Sort Of) Piano Concertos, Three Idil Biret Gaspards For The Price Of One. Originally in E flat and composed for Christmas, Bach revised it nine years later and set it in the brighter key of D major. Largely cobbled from an earlier secular cantata for a duke’s birthday, the music is some of Bach’s most poignant while being alternately festive and meditative. The performances here are everything you could wish for, with sound that neither giveth nor taketh away, but rather just allows us to hear everything clearly and naturally. Gardiner bemoans its relative neglect among Bachs larger choral works. Gardiner, of course, is at his best in projecting energy, but he can elicit introspection as well. Bach composed it in Leipzig and first performed it on 1 April 1725. Music of the music of the Easter Oratorio originated in 1725 in Bach’s cantata Entflieht, Verschwindet, entweich ihr Sorgen, which was written for the birthday of Duke Christian of Saxe-Weissenfled. All concertos are pure unadulterated awesomeness from start to finish, the sound of the recording, the tempi and dynamics chosen, the spirit, energy, and expressiveness in which these are performed, this is my favorite recorded performance of the Brandenburg concertos and I’ve … This, the second release of the highly anticipated Retrospect Ensemble series, features the Easter Oratorio, one of Bach's best-known oratorios and a monumental work, as well as the Ascension Oratorio. A brilliant pairing of Bach’s Easter Oratorio and Magnificat, directed by Paul McCreesh and the period experts of the Gabrieli Consort & Players. Thus, Gardiners sequence moves from death through hope to resurrection. Reference Recording: Charles Rosen’s Distinctive Diabellis, Video Review: The Three Bs–The Bonynge Ballet Box (Naturally! After the "usual suspect" operas were reviv... Continue Reading, Crumb subtitles his Metamorphoses (Book 1) "Ten Fantasy-Pieces (after celebrated paintings)," and if that sounds like fun, it is. Bach wrote for a boys' choir accompanied by a comparatively small orchestra of Baroque instruments. Both, the oratorio and the cantata Der Himmel lacht, Die Erde jubilieret (‘The heavens laugh, the Earth rejoices’) were written for use at Easter, and together with the Magnificat are some of Bach’s most joyous outpourings of sacred choral music. The Easter Oratorio, like many another Bach composition, underwent many metamorphoses. The best estimate for the composition of the Brandenburg Concerti (BWV 1046-1051) lies between 1718 and 1720 or 1721. Soprano: Aileen Thomson Mezzo-soprano: Esther Brazil Tenor: Ruairi Bowen Baritone: Humphrey Thompson. After recently discovering an acetate LP master in her archive, the pi... Continue Reading, Although Louis Vierne composed his six organ symphonies with the sound of the Romantic Cavaillé-Coll church organs and large cathedrals in mind, one can argue that smaller spaces better absorb the mu... Continue Reading. The paintings are by Klee, van Gogh, Chagall, Whistler, Jasper Johns, ... Continue Reading, Bach’s motets are difficult as the dickens but among the most beautiful, uplifting, and refined works of a composer’s output that is positively stacked with beautiful, uplifting, and refined works... Continue Reading, Stéphan Elmas (1862-1937) was, according the booklet notes accompanying this release, the first Armenian composer of note to write a piano concerto, and although the two works on this disc date from ... Continue Reading, Idil Biret first recorded Ravel’s Gaspard de la nuit in 1965 for the Vega label, but she did not approve its issue at the time. According to Gramophone, Nikolaus Harnoncourt's recording of 1972 was the first to be historically informed. It’s also, like the ever-popular Magnificat, very concise. The Easter Oratorio, like many another Bach composition, underwent many metamorphoses. of the Easter Oratorio are composed in the manner of the Brandenburg Concerti and probably originate from the same period in Bach’s life: sometime in the Cöthen Period (Dec. 2, 1717 until March 13, 1723.) The program’s other work isn’t just a bonus, it’s a full-fledged partner to the oratorio. The final version, heard on the present recording, dates from the mid-1740s. For the Easter Oratorio, that would be the 1951 recording made by Felix Prohaska, the Vienna Academy Choir and Chamber Orchestra for Vanguard. Bach’s Easter Oratorio continues to suffer comparative neglect, which is puzzling when you consider that it contains a spectacular opening chorus and one or two of his very best arias. Largely cobbled from an earlier secular cantata for a duke’s birthday, the music is some of Bach’s most poignant while being … The first three movements of the Easter Oratorio are all in triple time (unique in Bach’s oeuvre), laid out like a concerto of the period: a festive sinfonia scored for trumpets, drums, oboes, bassoon and strings, a superbly crafted adagio for oboe (or flute) and strings redolent of a Venetian slow movement, and then a lively da capo chorus. Retrospect Ensemble has had a great year following their debut release Henry Purcell: Ten Sonatas in Four Parts, including being shortlisted for Gramophone's 'Best Baroque Instrument' Award. Following immediately after the cantata, the joy of resurrection bursts forth in the explosive energy of the oratorios opening Sinfonia. St. John Passion – Bach. Johann Sebastian Bach is one of the greatest composers of sacred music and in the hands of Joseph Nolan and a stellar cast with WASO, his magnificent Easter Oratorio will take you on an unforgettable divine journey, from a tomb of dark grief to the blazing light of joy.. Bach Recordings. The opening instrumental movement of the Easter Oratorio, which uses the theme from 'Erschallet, ihr Lieder' of Cantata BWV 172, resounds with jubilant trumpets and timpani, and the Ascension Oratorio begins with a chorus in which choir and orchestra "praise God in His kingdoms" with the splendour worthy of a great prince. Gardiner bemoans its relative neglect among Bach’s larger choral works. The Easter Oratorio (German: Oster-Oratorium), BWV 249, is an oratorio by Johann Sebastian Bach, beginning with Kommt, eilet und laufet ("Come, hasten and run"). In Bach’s church music, this Easter oratorio is an exceptional work in the sense that the recitatives and arias are sung by four biblical characters, almost like a … Exclusive music reviews and news, created specifically for classical music listeners, from the serious collector to the inquisitive newcomer. There are no “roles” as we find in the Passions, no Evangelist-type recitatives, no chorales, and there’s no real dramatic story line. The rest consists of arias for soprano, alto, and tenor (one of the most beautiful tenor arias in all of music) and some of Bach’s most skillfully written recitatives. It was transformed a mere month later – using newly composed recitatives and new text (probably by Picander) – into an Easter cantata. First issued in 1995, this production of Bach’s Easter “oratorium” easily can claim supremacy among several very good alternatives. Bach:Christ lag in Todesbanden, BWV 4Easter Oratorio, BWV 249 Three majestic works that pertain to the events of the Easter … This recording could well correct the unfortunate situation. His readings of the two pieces are well nigh ideal, The Monteverdi Choir, 23-strong in the oratorio but reduced to 12 for the cantata, is impeccable, and his solo quartet is superb from top to bottom. Bach's Magnificat & Easter Oratorio from McCreesh, Part 2: Donald Satz wrote (April 6, 2001): Bach's Magnificat in D major, BWV 243, like the Easter Oratorio, began its life in another form. The most notable diversion, the Adagio, is played masterfully here by oboist Michael Niesemann. Intended for the second day of Easter and also reworked from an original secular cantata, it most likely was performed as an Easter work the same year (1735) as the oratorio. When the bel canto revival began in the '50s, it was led by sopranos and (occasionally) mezzos. For one thing, conductor John Butt seems to understand the dynamic of this somewhat troublesome work better than most other … Showing 1 - 10 of 27 results First issued in 1995, this production of Bach’s Easter “oratorium” easily can claim supremacy among several very good alternatives. Released ahead of the 2016 holiday season, this recording of Bach's "Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248," entered a field where there was plenty of competition, but the performance by Scotland's historically oriented Dunedin Consort have a great deal to recommend them. There are only two choruses, the first of which is substantial–and one of Bach’s masterpieces–and there’s an unusual two-movement (fast-slow) orchestral introduction. Their upcoming album JS Bach: Easter Oratorio & Ascension Oratorio is eagerly anticipated.. During the recording of Retrospect Ensemble's upcoming album, BBC Music Magazine took time to sit down with … The exquisite and early (1708) Actus Tragicus is a funeral cantata for an unknown person. Bach wrote several cantatas for the Feast of the Ascension (BWV 37, 43, and 128), though none matches the musical scope of the Ascension Oratorio (BWV 11, sometimes referred to as BWV 249a). The opening chorus of the cantata BWV 66 is one of the legion of wonders among Bach's choral movements. Complete your Johann Sebastian Bach, Gabrieli Consort & Players*, Paul McCreesh collection. This recording could well correct the unfortunate situation. ©1999 - 2015 Classics Today All Rights Reserved - Website by FirstTracks Marketing. Retrospect Ensemble employs large-scale forces for this recording including four-part choir and orchestra (including timpani). The Easter Oratorio, one of the less performed of Bach’s choral works, was first composed as a simple cantata and later revised to become a more polished piece with a meditative emphasis. Also elaborately scored, with the vocal choices, tempos, and mood changing every couple of minutes, this is one of the great works of Western liturgical music ( Gardiner's masterly reading of this work is a must-have). Once in while a recording comes along in which the performers, producers, and recording team get everything right. Instead, we visit a particular scene–Peter, John, and the two Marys discover the empty tomb and contemplate its meaning. The final version, heard on the present recording, dates from the mid-1740s. Gardiners note mentions two possible subjects, but both are speculative. The perfect gift for the classical music enthusiasts! Brandenburg Concertos, Karl Richter and the Munich Bach Orchestra. When Bach performed the oratorio again a few years before his death, the oboe solo was played by a transverse flute, just as in this performance. JS Bach Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis (I had much grief), BWV 21 Oster-Oratorium (Easter Oratorio), BWV 249. Sign up for our weekly newsletter and get them delivered straight to your inbox. Find recording details and track inforamtion for Easter Oratorio (Oster-Oratorium:… - Johann Sebastian Bach on AllMusic This had a short-lived life on CD as part of an 4-disk recording that included many great Bach cantatas by these forces (Nine Cantatas B00000I6N9 ) and an even shorter life on an individual CD with the cantata BWV 4, Christ lag in Todesbanden (Christ lay in … History. … It’s worth owning the disc for the performance of this chorus alone. Current Top Ten J.S. John Eliot Gardiners inspired programming here combines Bachs "Actus Tragicus" Cantata 106 with the Easter Oratorio but not in cover (or headnote) order. Discover releases, reviews, track listings, recommendations, and more about Johann Sebastian Bach, Gabrieli Consort & Players*, Paul McCreesh - Magnificat / Easter Oratorio at Discogs. Bach's St. John Passion is the earlier of the two Easter story settings of … [4/14/2000], J.S. This is one of them. The recording was made in the Saxon church of Brand-Erbisdorf, south of Freiberg, which is possessed of a superb baroque organ and a typical 18th century organ gallery in which all the musicians were placed, lending a great deal of authenticity to the recording. St Matthew Passion, JS Bach (1727) Quite simply one of the greatest pieces of music ever written. ArkivMusic - The Source for Classical Music! Title from container. 100 Best Bach Easter Oratorio (Oster-Oratorium: "Kommt, eilet und laufet"), BWV 249 (BC D8) One hundred and one years ago, the Calvin Oratorio Society made its debut with the first of its now traditional Christmas season performances of Handel's Messiah.. It’s performed here with uncommon crispness and a highly charged yet refined energy that drives the music forward with irresistible power. Bach Easter Oratorio & Rossini Stabat Mater. This is not a fancy, high-gloss “e-zine,” but rather a simple, straightforward newsletter-style section of our website designed for ease of reading and packing the maximum amount of useful information into each issue. Once in while a recording comes along in which the performers, producers, and recording team get everything right. the second a New Testament message of hope. Concertos inédits de Jean Sébastien Bach Catalog Record Only The 1st work is the Sinfonia from the Easter Oratorio; the 3rd work was originally written for 2 harpsichords and string orchestra, and is a reconstruction of a lost concerto for oboe and violin with string orchestra. The Oratorio is coupled on this CD with Bach's justly famous 12-movement setting (in 25 minutes) of the Magnificat text from Luke. Browse: Bach, J S - Easter Oratorio BWV249 This page lists all recordings of Easter Oratorio BWV249 by Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750). Karl Münchinger’s recording has been around since 1965 or so, and at first I was tempted to say that we’ve come a long way since then in terms of changing … BACH - Easter Oratorio BWV 249; Cantata BWV 66 "Erfreut euch, ihr Herzen", Carlton Classics’ CD reissue of Charles Rosen’s 1977 Beethoven Diabelli Variations lasted for ab... Continue Reading, The Bottom Line: This tribute to the intelligence, musicianship and questing spirit of Richard Bonyn... Continue Reading, Pianist Éric Heidsieck’s Erato and HMV recordings made little headway outside of his native Franc... Continue Reading, This is the CD I only could have dreamed about in the 1970s. A divine Easter tradition. One of Bach’s earliest Weimar cantatas Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis is performed here in its first Leipzig version. Actus tragicus, composed for a funeral, has an unusually soft toned instrumentation (recorders, viola da gamba and organ) which make it sound both consoling and full of optimism. This is one of them. Want to know first what the latest reviews are that have been posted to ClassicsToday each week? The 1 st 3 mvts. The opening chorus of the cantata BWV 66 is one of the legion of wonders among Bach’s choral movements. Sound Quality: 8. It prevails, with introspective diversions, to the end of the oratorio. Intended for the second day of Easter and also reworked from an original secular cantata, it most likely was performed as an Easter work the same year (1735) as the oratorio. Called an “oratorio,” this is, like the Christmas Oratorio , really a cantata-style piece (the Christmas Oratorio is actually a series of six cantatas). 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