Product Overview
David Greco, Van Diemen's Band - Bach Cantatas (CD ALBUM (1 DISC)) The music of Johann Sebastian Bach is pure perfection: a vast yet intricate tapestry of heavenly beauty and human emotion. Musicwas for Bach the means through which mortals could directly experience the divine, and his cantatas reveal his extraordinary gift forcommunicating directly with his listeners, even across three centuries. As dramatic and passionate as any opera, each cantatacarries us deep into the heart of its story. This CD presents Bach's two sacred cantatas for solo bass, performed by acclaimed Australian baritone David Grecoand the exciting Tasmanian Baroque ensemble Van Diemen's Band. Both cantatas offer us a vision of comfort and hope, beautifully conveyed by Greco's rich, warm tones. Ich habegenug(It is enough), BWV82, is an outpouring of uttermost relief and joy: long, agonising years of waiting are forgotten as the old man Simeon realises that the baby he is cradling in his arms is the Christ child who brings new hope forthe world. Ich will den Kreuzstabgerne tragen(Gladly will I bear the cross), BWV56, presents the human journey as a sea voyage, tossed on raging waters before coming safe home to port in heaven. The album also presents a selection of bass arias and instrumental movements taken from cantatas across Bach's long career, fromthe carefree joy of the opening sinfonia to his cantata Der Herr denketan uns(BWV196) Üwritten for a wedding, perhaps even for Bach's own wedding in 1707 Üto the profound tranquilityof Betrachte, meineSeel(Contemplate, O my soul)from the St John Passion, as revised by Bach in 1749, just one year before his death. Warmth, honesty, truth, compassion and transcendent beauty: this recording by the cream of Australia's early music specialists will make you fall in love with Bach all over again. Tracklistings: JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH 1.Ach! ich sehefrom Cantata BWV162 2.Auf Gott stehtmeineZuversichtfrom Cantata BWV138 3.Sinfoniafrom Cantata BWV21 4.Betrachte, meineSeelfrom St John Passion Cantata BWV82: Ich habegenug 5.I. Ich habegenug 6.II. Ich habegenug 7.III. Schlummertein 8.IV. Mein Gott! wennkömmtdas schöne: Nun! 9.V. Ich freuemichauf meinenTod 10.Sinfonia from Cantata BWV196 11.Es istvollbrachtfrom Cantata BWV159 12.Jesu, deinePassion istmir lauter Freudefrom Cantata BWV159 13.Sinfonia IIfrom Cantata BWV35 Cantata BWV56:Ich will den Kreuzstabgerne tragen 14.I. Ich will den Kreuzstabgerne tragen 15.II. Mein Wandelauf der Welt 16.III. Endlich, endlichwirdmeinJoch 17.IV. Ich stehefertigund bereit 18.V. Komm, o Tod, du SchlafesBruder
