Christophe Coin, Ensemble Baroque de Limoges, Concerto Vocale de Leipzig – Bach: Cantates BWV 180, 49, 115 (2011)

This recording is something of a classic of the historical-performance movement. It combines awesome soloists just hitting their peak years, a distinctive overall approach from conductor Christophe Coin and the Ensemble Baroque de Limoges, and an illustration of what’s possible when Bach’s music is played on the instruments he had in mind when he wrote it. The illustration is especially vivid in this case, for all three of these cantatas feature an unusual instrument: a violoncello piccolo, which is a small five-stringed cello with a higher (the extra string is at the top) and less assertive sound than a full-size cello. There is also a second disc of these with the same forces and the same virtues. Coin plays several of these instruments himself and forges an instrumental sound to match its light, ethereal quality. The soloists, especially the young countertenor Andreas Scholl, respond with superbly delicate performances; sample Scholl’s aria “Ach, schläfrige Seele, wie? ruhest du noch?” from the Cantata No. 115, “Mache dich bereit, mein Geist,” BWV 115. The Cantata No. 49 is one of those metaphorical wedding cantatas with the Jesus conceptualized as a Bridegroom and the Soul as the Bride, calling forth enthusiastic music-making from soprano Barbara Schlick. The list of attractions goes on to include the small, brilliant sound of the period organ, the purity of the singing by the Concerto Vocale of Leipzig, and much more.

– James Manheim

The disc Astrée E 8530 also contains three sacred cantatas. The release is headed by the cantata Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele (Adorn yourself, O loving soul, with gladness), BWV 180. First heard in 1724, the seven movement score was intended for the Twentieth Sunday After Trinity. It seems that this was Bach’s first cantata to employ a piccolo cello. The cantata requires four vocal soloists and a four-part chorus with the instrumentation of two recorders, a flute, oboe, oboe da caccia, strings and basso continuo.
Bach wrote his chorale cantata Ich geh und suche mit Erlangen (I go and seek with longing), BWV 49 for the Twentieth Sunday After Trinity and it was first performed in 1726. The six movement score is Bach’s last cantata to include a part for piccolo cello. Commencing and concluding with a chorale the soprano and bass are the only two vocal soloists as the score does not require a chorus. The instrumentation has parts for piccolo cello, oboe d’amore, strings and basso continuo with a splendid concerted role for the organ. Maybe this significant organ part was intended for Bach’s eldest son Wilhelm Friedemann as part of his apprenticeship. Another notable feature is the Sinfonia movement which opens the score.
The final work on the disc is the six-movement chorale cantata Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit (Prepare yourself, O my soul), BWV 115 from 1724 and intended for the 22nd Sunday after Trinity. Here we have four vocal soloists, a four-part chorus, with a flute, piccolo cello, oboe d’amore, horn, strings and basso continuo.

–Michael Cookson

Performer:
Barbara Schlick, soprano
Andreas Scholl, alto
Christoph Prégardien, ténor
Gotthold Schwarz, basse
Concerto Vocale de Leipzig
Ensemble Baroque de Limoges
Christophe Coin, violoncelle piccolo & direction

Track List:
Cantate BWV 180 “Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele”
01. Choral: Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele
02. Aria (Tenor): Ermuntre dich; dein Heiland klopft
03. Recitativo & Choral (Sopran): Wie teuer sind des heilgen Mahles Gaben!
04. Recitativo (Alt): Mein Herz fühlt in sich Furcht und Freude
05. Aria (Sopran): Lebens Sonne, Licht der Sinnen
06. Recitativo (Baß): Herr, laß an mir dein treues Lieben
07. Choral: Jesu, wahres Brot des Lebens
Cantate BWV 49 “Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen”
08. Sinfonia
09. Aria (Baß): Ich geh und suche mit Verlangen
10. Recitative (Sopran, Baß): Mein Mahl ist zubereit
11. Aria (Sopran): Ich bin herrlich, ich bin schön
12. Recitative (Sopran, Baß): Mein Glaube hat mich selbst so angezogen
13. Aria and Chorale (Baß, Sopran): Dich hab ich je und je geliebet
Cantate BWV 115 “Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit”
14. Chor: Mache dich, mein Geist, bereit
15. Aria (Alt): Ach schläfrige Seele, wie? ruhest du noch?
16. Recitativo (Alt): Gott, so vor deine Seele wacht
17. Aria (Sopran): Bete aber auch dabei
18. Recitativo (Tenor): Er sehnet sich nach unserm Schreien
19. Choral: Drum so laßt uns immerdar