Heavenly Bach: Arias & Cantatas of J.S. Bach

by Amanda Forsythe, Jeannette Sorrell, Apollo's Fire

Overview

Though her repertoire is rather versatile, taking in the works of Rossini, Bellini, and contemporary composers such as Peter Eoetvoes, soprano Amanda Forsythe has established herself as a Baroque specialist since arriving on the scene. Following up on her thematic solo debut, The Power of Love, which featured opera arias by Handel, and teaming once more with the same backing forces of Apollo's Fire and its director Jeannette Sorrell, Forsythe sets her sights on the role of the soprano in Bach's cantata music with Heavenly Bach. Though these forces have spent considerable time together, they don't quite fully synch up in the opening Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!, BWV 51 until the concluding (and extremely fun) Alleluja! This is a shame because Forsythe, trumpet soloist Steven Marquardt, and Apollo's Fire all sound in good form but seemed unable to fully bring it together. Forsythe and company are in lockstep on the rest of the program, especially in the Weichet nur, betruebte Schatten ("Wedding Cantata"), BWV 202, delivering a highly dramatic and emotional reading, which also features a showcase turn from oboist Debra Nagy. There is no doubting the vocal ability, and agility, of Forsythe nor the quality of ensemble playing from Apollo's Fire (even over personnel changes between recording dates that span over five years). A lovely program, though a little on the short side at under 50 minutes, that perhaps could have benefited from the inclusion of a few more single excerpts from Bach's vast cantata output. Recommended to those with even a cursory interest in Baroque vocal music and the unique sound of period instruments. ~ Keith Finke

Product Details

Release Date:	11/18/2022
Label:	Avie
UPC:	0822252254723
Rank:	129436

Tracks

1. Cantata BWV 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! (Shout to joy for God in every land!)~Aria: Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen!
2. Cantata BWV 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! (Shout to joy for God in every land!)~Recit: Wir beten zu dem Tempel an
3. Cantata BWV 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! (Shout to joy for God in every land!)~Aria: H¿¿chster, mache deine G¿¿te
4. Cantata BWV 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! (Shout to joy for God in every land!)~Chorale: Sei Lob und Preis mit Ehren
5. Cantata BWV 51, Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen! (Shout to joy for God in every land!)~Aria: Alleluja!
6. Johannes-Passion, BWV 245 (St. John Passion)~Aria: Zerfliesse, mein Herze
7. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Aria: Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten
8. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Recit: Die Welt wird wieder neu
9. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Aria: Phoebus eilt mit schnellen Pferden
10. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Recit: Drum sucht auch Amor sein Vergn¿¿gen
11. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Aria: Wenn die Fr¿¿hlingsl¿¿fte streichen
12. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Recit: Und dieses ist das Gl¿¿cke
13. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Aria: Sich ¿¿ben im Lieben
14. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Recit: So sei das Band der keuschen Liebe
15. Cantata BWV 202, Weichet nur, betr¿¿bte Schatten (Wedding Cantata)~Aria: Sehet in Zufriedenheit
16. Johannes-Passion, BWV 245 (St. John Passion)~Aria: Ich folge dir gleichfalls

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Amanda Forsythe   Primary Artist,Soprano (Vocal)
Jeannette Sorrell   Primary Artist,Conductor,Harpsichord
Apollo's Fire   Primary Artist,Ensemble
Alan Choo   Violin
Steven Marquardt   Trumpet
Rene Schiffer   Cello
Emi Tanabe   Violin
Debra Nagy   Oboe
Olivier Brault   Violin

Technical Credits

Johann Sebastian Bach   Composer
Erica Brenner   Editing,Recording Producer
Jeannette Sorrell   Liner Notes
Thomas Knab   Engineer
Apollo's Fire   Photography
Daniel Shores   Engineer
Tatiana Daubek   Cover Photo,Photography
Kein Zweifel   Booklet Design