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Cantatas (BWV 105, 179, 186) by Johann Sebastian Bach

CD review

JS Bach, BWV 105, 179, 186
Bach Collegium Japan
Directed by Masaaki Suzuki
1999. CD. 63 min.
Grammofon AB BIS, Bragevagen 2, SE - 182 64 Djursholm, Sweden

While one might not immediately associate Japanese musicians with the performance of the works of J. S. Bach, it must be remembered that Japan has produced a number of outstanding classical musicians over the years; certainly the performances on this CD are most convincing, reminding me, at least, not to be so parochial!

J.S. Bach is much loved by Christian people, and with considerable justification. Although perhaps not an evangelical in the sense that most EN readers would understand the term, he was undoubtedly a devout man who dedicated himself wholeheartedly to the post-Reformation church in his native Germany. In addition he is probably the only composer, with the possible exception of Mozart, whose work no CD collection should be without; surely, no aspect of his work demonstrates his genius better than the Cantatas, relatively short choral works which generally begin with a chorus, end with a chorale, and have an assortment of solo recitatives and arias in between.

The three works featured on this CD date from Bach's time as an organist and choirmaster in Leipzig where, each week, he had to write a new cantata, teach it to the choir and then perform it in church on the Sunday. This cantata was intended to provide a musical accompaniment to the Scripture readings and liturgy of the particular Sunday in question; the texts used, therefore, are remarkably biblical in character, being either paraphrases of the prescribed readings or reflections on them, and reward careful reading (full translations are provided in the accompanying notes).

One example, the tenor recitative from BWV 179 rings uncomfortably true for us 21st-century Christians: ;Christianity today is sadly in a bad state. Most Christians in the world are self-satisfied and lax, and are puffed-up Pharisees who appear initially to be pious, bowing their heads to the ground like reeds. But, in their heart there is pride and self-regard. True, they visit God's house and attend to their outward duties, but does this make one a real Christian? No, for hypocrites can also perform thus.'

The combination of this challenging, and also encouraging, spiritual content, the very high quality of the performances, and the distinctive dignity and reassurance of Bach's wonderful writing make this a thoroughly recommended recording.

Simon Brennan