Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Philippe Herreweghe, Ghent Collegium Vocale :: J.S. Bach: Cantates BWV 2, 20 & 176

The three cantatas recorded here have in common their composition for or around Trinity Sunday, which is as good an excuse as any for lumping them together. Bach's instrumentation and format, however, are different for each work, and the overall effect is varied and interesting. BWV 2, asking God to have pity on us, features some severe trombone backing amid a certain austerity, an alto aria with solo viola, and a dance-like aria for bass exhorting Christians to be patient. The almost-half-hour-long BWV 20 is grander in attitude and scale, dealing as it does with "Eternity, thou thunderous word," and one bass aria with oboe solo is nicely expressive while another, with trumpets ("Awake, awake, lost sheep") is rousing. "The hearts of all men are obstinate and fearful," the opening chorus of BWV 176 tells us in a quick-tempo fugue which sounds downright jolly. All three are beautifully performed and recorded; Herreweghe may not milk the drama out of the more "dreadful" moments, but with choral singing and instrumental playing of this caliber, it doesn't matter. A fine disc. --Robert Levine