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Koopman Bach Cantatas

Koopman Bach Cantatas

Previously begun on Erato, Koopman's cantata cycle was taken over and completed in 2007 on Challenge Classics. It now looks set to surpass the famous Leonhardt-Harnoncourt set on Teldec (and indeed most of his other competitors).

Koopman favours an intimate approach to the choruses - namely one voice to a part. Also, he opts for females soloists rather than boys, as would have been the case in Bach's day, and he favours mixed rather than solely male choirs. For many this will be a plus point, and it is good news for fans of Barbara Schlick. He goes for slightly higher than normal pitch - a semi-tone above present day pitch, which, as Christopher Wolff's notes point out, is what Bach used in Mühlhausen and Weimar, brightening the sonority quite a lot.

The singing in virtually all the cantatas is pretty impressive and the instrumental playing is of a very high order.

"Koopman's directing vitality keeps the music spontaneously alive, with no sense of over-refinement or scholarly rectitude; the recording is first class, and the documentation could hardly be more informative. In short, this is a more enjoyable and rewarding seriesthat will give much satisfaction" - Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music, 2008.

Showing 1 - 10 of 35 results
Showing 1 - 10 of 35 results
  • J S Bach - Complete Cantatas Volume 22

    J S Bach - Complete Cantatas Volume 22

    Recommended

    Sandrine Piau, Johannette Zomer (soprano), Bogna Bartosz, Nathalie Stutzman (alto), James Gilchrist, Christoph Prégardien, Jörg Dürmüller (tenor) & Klaus Mertens (bass)

    The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    Koopman's irrepressible enthusiasm and impish wit remain undiminished as he ends his immense 12 year project recording all Bach's cantatas. Assured vocal soloists, fluent choir and impeccable... — BBC Music Magazine, May 2008More…
    • Release Date: 30th Oct 2006
    • Catalogue No: CC72222
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 3 hours 19 minutes

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  • J S Bach - Ascension Cantatas

    J S Bach - Ascension Cantatas

    Recommended

    Sandrine Piau, Johannette Zomer, Sibylla Rubens (sopranos), Bogna Bartosz, Bernhard Landauer (altos), James Gilchrist, Christoph Prégardien, Jörg Dürmüller (tenors) & Klaus Mertens (bass)

    Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    Spectacular trumpets (BWV 11) and rattling horns (BWV 138) - Bach, Koopman, and his thrilling Amsterdam forces all at their best evoke the triumph of the Ascension. — BBC Music Magazine, October 2008, 5 out of 5 starsMore…
    • Release Date: 28th Apr 2008
    • Catalogue No: CC72285
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 74 minutes

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    $17.25

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  • J S Bach - Coffee Cantata, Peasant Cantata & Amore Traditore

    J S Bach - Coffee Cantata, Peasant Cantata & Amore Traditore

    Recommended

    Anne Grimm (soprano), Els Bongers (soprano), Paul Agnew (tenor) & Klaus Mertens (bass)

    Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    Lest it be thought that all Bach's cantatas are strait-laced manifestations of religious piety (however melodically varied), Ton Koopman and the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra here give spirited... — David Smith, Presto MusicMore…
    • Release Date: 28th Apr 2008
    • Catalogue No: CC72280
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 65 minutes

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  • J S Bach - Funeral Cantatas

    J S Bach - Funeral Cantatas

    Lisa Larsson (soprano), Elizabeth von Magnus (alto), Paul Agnew & Guy de Mey (tenor) & Klaus Mertens (bass)

    The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    In 'Lass, Fürstin', BWV 198, the aria with flute imitating the traditional funeral bell, magical pizzicato strings and lutes creates extraordinary colours. High pitch remains a strain (BWV... — BBC Music Magazine, October 2008, 3 out of 5 starsMore…
    • Release Date: 25th Aug 2008
    • Catalogue No: CC72286
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 60 minutes

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    $13.00

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  • J S Bach - Wedding Cantatas

    J S Bach - Wedding Cantatas

    Johannette Zomer, Sandrine Piau, Barbara Schlick, Lisa Larsson (sopranos), Annette Markert (alto), James Gilchrist, Guy de Mey (tenors) & Klaus Mertens (bass)

    Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    Uninhibited trumpets, drums, choir and interjecting soloists are breath-taking in BWV 195. Koopman's continuo playing delights, as does Ponseele's oboe in BWV 202. — BBC Music Magazine, October 2008, 4 out of 5 starsMore…
    • Release Date: 28th Apr 2008
    • Catalogue No: CC72284
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 74 minutes

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  • J S Bach - Cantatas “Actus Tragicus”

    J S Bach - Cantatas “Actus Tragicus”

    Barbara Schlick (soprano), Kai Wessel (alto), Guy de Mey (tenor) & Klaus Mertens (bass)

    The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    These welcome reissues group by subject, rather than date of composition. However lack of texts/translations may, sadly, inhibit less confident purchasers. Tragedy and death were all-too-frequent... — BBC Music Magazine, October 2008, 3 out of 5 starsMore…
    • Release Date: 25th Aug 2008
    • Catalogue No: CC72289
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 60 minutes

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  • J S Bach - Town Council Election Cantatas

    J S Bach - Town Council Election Cantatas

    Caroline Stam, Ruth Ziesak, Sandrine Piau (soprano), Elisabeth von Magnus, Michael Chance, Bogna Bartosz (alto), Paul Agnew, James Gilchrist (tenor) & Klaus Mertens (bass)

    Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    Koopman's Complete Bach Cantatas won a BBC Music Magazine Award in 2008. Now, freed from the constraints of chronological order, he's recycling the very best from the 14-year project, here... — BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2009, 5 out of 5 starsMore…
    • Release Date: 20th Apr 2009
    • Catalogue No: CC72287
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 62 minutes

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  • J S Bach - Cantatas for Marian Feasts

    J S Bach - Cantatas for Marian Feasts

    Deborah York (soprano), Bogna Bartosz (alto), Elisabeth von Magnus (alto), Paul Agnew (tenor), Jörg Dürmüller (tenor) & Klaus Mertens (bass)

    Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    • Release Date: 28th Apr 2008
    • Catalogue No: CC72281
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 65 minutes

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    $13.00

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  • J S Bach - Solo Cantatas for Bass

    J S Bach - Solo Cantatas for Bass

    Klaus Mertens (bass)

    Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    • Release Date: 28th Apr 2008
    • Catalogue No: CC72283
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 63 minutes

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  • Bach Cantatas - 24 Highlights from the Complete Edition

    Bach Cantatas - 24 Highlights from the Complete Edition

    Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, Ton Koopman

    • Release Date: 29th Jun 2009
    • Catalogue No: CC72337
    • Label: Challenge Classics
    • Series: Koopman Bach Cantatas
    • Length: 99 minutes

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