Descrizione
The programme of this concert, recorded at one of Austria's fi nest baroque monasteries, is dedicated to the works which Johann Sebastian Bach wrote for Advent, two of his fi nest cantatas and his Magnifi cat. The performances of these three works are excellent. Not only are the choir and orchestra of the quality one expects from a conductor such as Nikolaus Harnoncourt, but the soloists including Christine Schäfer and Ian Bostridge are all top-notch as well. A must-have disc for collectors of Bach DVDs.
Recensione
The performance is full of surprises...the musicians never just play it safe, taking risks in their search for maximum expression. And a further attraction of the recording is the fact that this is reflected in aspects that go beyond the purely musical - in the way the camera focuses on altar images, crucifixes and other details of the impressive venue. The choir sings with subtle power and demonstrates that not a single note must be allowed to sound ordinary in Bach's music. The same goes for the soloists, including Ian Bostridge, who lends every single word maximum musical intensity.'' --Fonoforum
