A box set is out from Teldec which has Harnoncourt with various people doing the complete Bach Cantatas on some 60 discs for $548.98 (American dollars I'd guess).
I also think I saw Ton Koopman doing a complete set?
Are these sets worth the money? I've never bought anything that expensive in my life...nevermind a box set of anything. I can't afford it right now, but just for thoughts.
Sure be nice to have it...either the Harnoncourt or the Koopman.
Thoughts?
The Complete Sacred Cantatas of Bach
A long Campaign with Pros and Cons
Hi
I got Haroncourt's cycle in the Bach 2000 edition by Teldec. It was recorded over a couple of decades, and the quality is truly variable. That this presents you with a journey to traverse with Nic is a pro, but the sound and performance quality needs getting used to as you move from piece to piece.
Also to note, the higher voices are taken by choir boys, which is a matter of preference.
Some excitement around Gardiner's Montreverdi/Naive release of all the Cantatas in an on-going series that started earlier this year. Haroncourt is probably more studied in the works, but Gardiner knows how to make them memorable. Worth checking out.
BT
I got Haroncourt's cycle in the Bach 2000 edition by Teldec. It was recorded over a couple of decades, and the quality is truly variable. That this presents you with a journey to traverse with Nic is a pro, but the sound and performance quality needs getting used to as you move from piece to piece.
Also to note, the higher voices are taken by choir boys, which is a matter of preference.
Some excitement around Gardiner's Montreverdi/Naive release of all the Cantatas in an on-going series that started earlier this year. Haroncourt is probably more studied in the works, but Gardiner knows how to make them memorable. Worth checking out.
BT
Bach Cantatas
IMO, the set to get (when it's complete) will be the Suzuki/Bach Collegium of Japan on BIS. Much better choral and instrumental work, and generally better soloists than either the Harnoncourt/Leonhardt or the Koopman. The recorded sound is fabulous, too--obviously several cuts above than the late '70s analogue sound of the Harnoncourt.
If you're afraid of the "Japanese" factor, you needn't be. These are very idiomatic performances, with near-flawless German pronunciation (most of the singers are European-trained). Suzuki is a recognized Bach specialist (who incidentally studied with Ton Koopman) and has made several highly-regarded recordings of Bach keyboard music on BIS.
The only drawback is that the Suzuki/BCJ performances are only available at the moment as individual CDs, not in a set, and at full price. And it may take another two or three years before the cycle is complete.
If you're afraid of the "Japanese" factor, you needn't be. These are very idiomatic performances, with near-flawless German pronunciation (most of the singers are European-trained). Suzuki is a recognized Bach specialist (who incidentally studied with Ton Koopman) and has made several highly-regarded recordings of Bach keyboard music on BIS.
The only drawback is that the Suzuki/BCJ performances are only available at the moment as individual CDs, not in a set, and at full price. And it may take another two or three years before the cycle is complete.
Musica magnorum est solamen dulce laborum
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