Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Philippe Herreweghe, Collegium Vocale Orchestra :: Bach: Cantatas & Masses

Radiant!

W. Smith | New York, NY | 02/19/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the finest quality budget deals I have come across in the Baroque music realm. A nice 4-CD sampling of Bach's cantatas (BWV 39, 73, 93, 105, 107 and 131) from his Leipzig period (1723-1726) and the four "Lutheran" masses from the 1730s. The latter follow hot on the heals of the B Minor mass (BMV 232) and are especially welcome.Herreweghe is one of my favorite Baroque conductors, finding, as he does, a vitality and vibrancy in his period instrumentation. The musicians and soloists of the Ghent-based Collegium are of uniformly fine quality and the recording is up to Virgin's excellent standards.If you own Herreweghe's stunning version of the Mass in B Minor, buy this. You won't be disappointed. I would've paid full price for a collection this sublime."

Great music, great performances

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 11/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Herreweghe brings aspiration and joy to these "Lutheran" masses, rather than dour piety. They are musically moving even to a non-religious listener. These are first-rate performances. Be careful, however, if you have been buying Bach disks for many years; this box of 4 CDs includes re-releases of recordings as old as 1990. Thus you may find, as I did, that you are buying performances you already own, with different cover art."