Bach Cantata Box Set: JEG

**amateur51** · 25-09-13, 13:52

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

I'm considering investing in this set. Does anyone have any comments on it?

Any chance of a link please? (so that the telepathy is kept to a minimum)

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 25-09-13, 13:57

Originally posted by amateur51 View Post

Any chance of a link please? (so that the telepathy is kept to a minimum)

Ouch!

Classical recordings - Search: John Eliot Gardiner Bach cantatas complete (page 1 of 1) | Presto Music

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/search.php?searchString=+John+Eliot+Gardiner+Bach+cantatas+complete

**amateur51** · 25-09-13, 14:32

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

Ouch!

http://www.prestoclassical.co.uk/sea...tatas+complete

Thanks!

**Richard Barrett** · 25-09-13, 14:33

I love those recordings and have almost all of them as separate releases. The advantage they have over studio-based recordings is that the latter will generally have been recorded in piecemeal fashion, and edited together later, whereas the fact that JEG's recordings are based on performing a cantata from start to finish gives their theological/emotional content a more dramatic and meaningful quality I think. I also like the fact that a wide range of vocal soloists is used, and of course the choir sings magnificently as it almost always does - which has ultimately become a sticking-point for me because I've become convinced that using four voices for the "choruses" rather than 20 or so, if it's done well, enhances these aspects of the music even more, as well as being the forces that Bach was almost certainly writing for.

**salymap** · 25-09-13, 14:46

A relative [not on these MBs] thinks very highly of this set and lent it to me a few years ago.

Very enjoyable, I wouldn't buy it myself but Ithoroughly enjoyed dipping into it.

**johnb** · 25-09-13, 15:29

Whether you buy (or want to buy) the boxed set depends on whether you prefer JEG's performances to those of other conductors (to state the blindingly obvious). To me his performances have much more the feel of "concert performances" (where ever they are performed) than liturgical performances and are sometimes rather hard driven. I prefer the Suzuki recordings - but that's just me.

(I do think the cover photos on the individual JEG CDs are wonderful though. If I came across any in a shop I would have difficulty stopping myself buying them just for those photos.)

**VodkaDilc** · 25-09-13, 16:35

Originally posted by johnb View Post

I prefer the Suzuki recordings - but that's just me.

I would agree with johnb. If I wanted to buy a complete set, the Gardiner would not be my first choice.
A quick count of the Bach cantata CDs on my shelves gives a pretty accurate idea of my preferences:

Britten - 1
Coin - 3
Gardiner - 1
Guillon - 1
Harnoncourt - 5
Herreweghe - 5
Koopman - 3
Kuijken - 15
Marriner - 1
McCreesh - 3
Milnes - 2
Ristenpart - 9 (box set)
Suzuki - 8
Taylor - 1

If I wanted one complete set, I'd go for Suzuki, but, on the whole, I prefer a mixture.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 25-09-13, 16:45

Originally posted by VodkaDilc View Post

I would agree with johnb. If I wanted to buy a complete set, the Gardiner would not be my first choice.
A quick count of the Bach cantata CDs on my shelves gives a pretty accurate idea of my preferences:

Britten - 1
Coin - 3
Gardiner - 1
Guillon - 1
Harnoncourt - 5
Herreweghe - 5
Koopman - 3
Kuijken - 15
Marriner - 1
McCreesh - 3
Milnes - 2
Ristenpart - 9 (box set)
Suzuki - 8
Taylor - 1

If I wanted one complete set, I'd go for Suzuki, but, on the whole, I prefer a mixture.

I have all the Rilling set, and a healthy sprinkling of Karl Richter. I've been impressed by all the JEG Bach I've heard. I just wondered whether the live aspect of the Pilgrimage revealed any shortcomings?

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 25-09-13, 18:20

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

I have all the Rilling set, and a healthy sprinkling of Karl Richter. I've been impressed by all the JEG Bach I've heard. I just wondered whether the live aspect of the Pilgrimage revealed any shortcomings?

I think that videos were made of some of the performances, for example:

Bach Cantatas BWV 179 199 113 .D d e k -D

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jB_4jCRxaXE

I have a couple of the SDG "Pilgrimage" CD sets, no shortcomings in the recorded sound or performances on those. My reservations are those of others - very "professional", large choir (about six voices per part - much larger than Bach requested, even if he did mean them to perform all at once - which he didn't, of course), correspondingly large orchestra, adult (and female) professionally trained solo singers. HIPP "only" in the use of period instruments, tempi and articulation, and with the advantage of a sense of occasion. If you've liked his other Bach, you need have no reservations about these.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 26-09-13, 18:13

Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View Post

I have a couple of the SDG "Pilgrimage" CD sets, no shortcomings in the recorded sound or performances on those. My reservations are those of others - very "professional", large choir (about six voices per part - much larger than Bach requested, even if he did mean them to perform all at once - which he didn't, of course), correspondingly large orchestra, adult (and female) professionally trained solo singers. HIPP "only" in the use of period instruments, tempi and articulation, and with the advantage of a sense of occasion. If you've liked his other Bach, you need have no reservations about these.

That's the reassurance I needed.