Search - Bach J.S, Werner, Giebel :: Bach J.S: Cantatas 2

Bach from a Bygone Era

Johannes Climacus | Beverly, Massachusetts | 02/27/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Volume II of Erato/Warner's edition of Fritz Werner's Bach recordings contains both well-known and relatively unfamiliar cantatas, mostly for the Sundays after Trinity. The qualifiedly favorable evaluation I gave to Volume One (see review on this website) also applies here. These are sturdy, undistracting, if sometimes rather literal performances of a style which was the norm before the early music revolution took over. Werner anticipates that revolution by employing modest-sized forces, avoiding inflated textures, and adopting a relatively intimate approach. On the other hand, listeners accustomed to today's standards of period performance practice will find the predominantly legato phrasing, lack of appropriate ornamentation, and flabby rhythmic articulation disconcerting. But as the saying goes, one can get used to anything, and so adventurous listeners not cowed by the prejudices of our own time are encouraged to explore a Bach cantata series that conveys the grace and prayerfulness, if not always the drama or exuberance, of this sublime music. Some listeners might consider purchasing this set and its companion volumes simply to hear the eloquent contributions of such oustanding Bach singers as Helmut Krebs, Agnes Giebel, Frederike Sailer, and Barry McDaniel. They are indeed Werner's strongest asset. The digitally remastered sound is amazingly good (despite some hint of peaking in some of the arias) and the price is definitely right."