Easter Oratorio / Ascension Oratorio

These two cantatas form part of the Hänssler Edition Bachakademie, the complete recording of the works of J.S. Bach. They were originally recorded in the early 1980s as part of Helmuth Rilling's complete recording of the cantatas, a cycle that, with excellent reason, has been included wholesale within the Hänssler Edition. The playing owes nothing to period practice, and is performed on modern instruments at modern concert pitch with a full-sized choir. What brings the music to life is Rilling's obvious passion for Bach's profoundly beautiful melodies and grand choral effects. He encourages the singers to think structurally, in terms of both whole movements and the direction of each phrase, and the interplay with obbligato instruments is delightful. The singing is exquisite, especially from the lusciously juicy Arleen Auger and the brighter-voiced Costanza Cuccaro. If the meaty approach of the choir is occasionally a trifle stolid, the whole is still eminently listenable. --Warwick Thompson