Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Philippe Herreweghe, Collegium Vocale :: J.S. Bach: Tönet, ihr Pauken!

Lively and authentic profane cantatas

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 03/29/2006

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I've always enjoyed being able to say Bach's nonreligious cantatas are profane, or secular. Why that label is affixed to these is anyone's question since most things herein are the antithesis of profane -- lively, authentic, humanistic and rapturous.



In this issue Herreweghe is mated to his usual band and choir, the Collegium Vocale Gent, and some of his favored soloists -- soprano Carolyn Sampson, alto Ingebrog Danz, tenor Mark Padmore and bass eter Kooy -- is this pair of Bach cantats that celebrate secular events. The commonality between the two -- BWV 207 and 214 -- is they employ trumpets and timpani in major roles.



Indeed the more well-known cantata BWV 214 is called "Tonet, ihr Pauken" or "Sound ye drums." The cantata celebrates the empress of Saxony Maria Joseph. "Long live the queen!" says the choir in the intial chorus. The other cantata celebrates Leipzig scholar Gottlieb Kortte's appointment to a professorship.



Both cantatas are constructed along the lines of a typical Bach work with choral opening followed by soloes, duets, recitative and closing in a big chorus with brass blazing and drums beating. These are happy works about then important people making news and waves, about as different from Bach's death-induced religious cantatas as one can imagine.



These festive works are performed in up tempo rapid fire speed by Herreweghe and associates. The sound is first rate as is the singing. My sole complaint is the consistent use of repeats, which makes most things sound repetitive. With a total time of 56:11, the CD could have accommodated another cantata from the period and certainly would have done so had they deleted a few repeats.



But in the main this is a lively and enjoyable CD recorded in outstanding DDD sound with period instruments and style. If you like these works or this Bach oeuvre, you will be certain to enjoy this disk."

Celebrate!

Giordano Bruno | Wherever I am, I am. | 10/05/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The two cantatas recorded here are wonderfully festive and celebratory -- Bach at his most rousing -- for which reason I disagree with the reviewer who wishes the repeats had been cut and a third cantata squeezed on the same disk. Bach knew what he was doing; the repeats double my exultation. Also exciting is the recognition that old Johann has recycled music from the Brandenburgs, which seemed quintessentially instrumental, and made it supremely expressive of words. The Herreweghe recordings of Bach are the most dependable, acoustically and technically. Gardiner can be more inspired at times and also less well-rehearsed. Koopmann, Harnoncourt, Leonhardt all deliver brilliant versions of their favorite cantatas but insipid interpretations of others. Be sure to read the texts if you choose to buy these cantatas; laughter is good for your heart."