Catherine King "Bach Alto Arias" CD

Catherine King "Bach Alto Arias" CD

$19.99 Sale

Catherine King and the NBO perform a fascinating collection of arias by J.S. Bach, framed within the movements of his B minor orchestral suite, to create an unusual and attractive Baroque song cycle.

'Catherine King's subtle elaboration breathes tenderness, nobility and dignity into this exquisite music.' HMV Choice

'King exhibiting her pleasingly resonant timbre with great assurance in ‘Zum reinen Wasser' from Cantata 112.' Gramophone

Comprising some of Bach's most beautiful works for alto, this is essentially a posthumous overview - and exhibition - of certain aspects of Bach's creative life.Two arias (Buss und Reu and Erbarme Dich) are drawn from the Matthew Passion, two (Wo zwei und drei versammlet sind and Zum reinen Wasser) from Eastertide cantatas and the Agnus Dei is from his most spectacular choral work: the B minor mass.

Bach reserved some of the most life-changing music he wrote for the alto voice, possibly inspired to greater heights by his wife Anna Magdalena, who was herself an accomplished alto. With the majority of Bach alto arias performed and recorded by men it is refreshing to hear Catherine King's rich alto bring new colours to these works.

The NBO is directed alternately by Julian Podger and harpsichordist Ketil Haugsand, the distinguished pupil of Gustav Leonhardt.

Tracklisting

  1. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: I. Ouverture
  2. Matthew Passion, BWV 244: Part I. Aria. Buss und Reu
  3. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: II. Rondeau
  4. Am Abend aber desselbigen Sabbats, BWV 42: Aria. Wo zwei und drei versammlet sind
  5. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: III. Sarabande
  6. Mass in B Minor, BWV 232: Aria. Agnus Dei
  7. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: IV. Bourree I - Bourree II / V. Polonaise – Double
  8. Der Herr ist mein getreuer, BWV 112: Aria. Zum reinen Wasser er mich weist
  9. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: VI. Menuett
  10. Matthew Passion, BWV 244: Part 2. Aria. Erbarme dich, mein Gott
  11. Orchestral Suite No. 2 in B Minor, BWV 1067: VII. Badinerie