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Joshua Rifkin & The Bach Ensemble
Bach Cantatas & Other Vocal Works

Contents

Recordings of Cantatas
Recordings of Other Vocal Works
Box Sets/Collections
General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2

Joshua Rifkin - Short Biography
The Bach Ensemble - Short History

Three Weimar Cantatas - conducted by Joshua Rifkin
Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Joshua Rifkin
BWV 243 Magnificat - conducted by Joshua Rifkin
Book: Bach's Choral Ideal [by Joshua Rifkin]
Article: The Passion according to Saint Matthew BWV 244 [By Joshua Rifkin]

Discography

Recordings of Cantatas


C-1

J.S. Bach: Wedding Cantata O holder Tag, erwünschte Zeit, BWV 210


Cantata BWV 210 [34 min ]

Joshua Rifkin

The Bach Ensemble (on original instruments)

Soprano: Judith Nelson

Nonesuch D-79013
Nonesuch D1-79013

Nov 1980

LP / TT: 34 min
MC / TT: 34 min

Recorded at Ambassador Auditorium, Pasadena, California, USA.
1st recording of Cantata BWV 210 by J. Rifkin.


C-2

J.S. Bach: Oboe Concertos - First Recordings

Concerto for oboe, strings, and continuo in D minor: reconstructed from BWV 35, BWV 156, BWV 1056, & BWV 1059, reconstructed by Joshua Rifkin [11:40]
Concerto for oboe d'amore, strings, and continuo in A major : reconstructed from BWV 1055, reconstructed by Joshua Rifkin and Werner Breig [12:17]
Concerto for oboe, strings, and continuo in E-flat major : reconstructed from BWV 49, BWV 169, & BWV 1053, reconstructed by Joshua Rifkin, after the version by Wilfried Fischer [19:14]

Joshua Rifkin

The Bach Ensemble (with original instruments)

Stephen Hammer (Oboe/Oboe d'amore)

Pro Arte PAD-153
Pro Arte CDD-153

May 1983

LP / TT: 33:11
CD / TT:

Recorded at St. Ignatius Episcopal Church, New York City, New York, USA


C-3

Baroque Variations

 

Sinfonia (Mvt. 1) from Cantata BWV 29 Wir danken dir, Gott, wir danken dir [3:20]

Joshua Rifkin

Baroque ensemble

John Finney (Organ)

Nonesuch 9-71416-1B

Jan 1985

LP / TT: 43:03

Recorded at Rutgers Church, New York City, New York, USA.


C-4

J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 147 "Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben"; Cantata BWV 80 "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott"

Cantatas BWV 147 [27:04], BWV 80 [25:40]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble (on authentic instruments)

Soprano: Jane Bryden; Counter-tenor: Drew Minter; Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas; Bass: Jan Opalach

L'Oiseau-Lyre 417250-2

Sep 1985

CD / TT: 52:44

Recorded at the American Academy of Arts & Letters.
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineer: Simon Eaden.
Buy this album at:
CD (1996): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


C-5

J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 106 "Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeite" (Actus Tragicus) ; Cantata BWV 131 "Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir"

Cantatas BWV 106 [18:50], BWV 131 [19:41]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble (on authentic instruments)

Soprano: Ann Monoyios; Counter-tenor: Steven Rickards; Tenor: Edmund Brownless; Bass: Jan Opalach

L'Oiseau-Lyre 417323-2

Nov 1985

CD / TT: 38:31

Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, New York, USA.
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineer: Stanley Goodall.
Buy this album at:
CD (1991): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


C-6

J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 140 "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme"; Cantata BWV 51 "Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen"

Cantatas BWV 140 [24:52], BWV 51 [17:45]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble (on authentic instruments)

Soprano: Julianne Baird; Counter-tenor: Drew Minter; Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas; Bass: Jan Opalach

L'Oiseau-Lyre 417616-2

Oct 1986

CD / TT: 42:37

Recorded at Performing Arts Center, State University of New York, USA.
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineer: Simon Eaden.
Buy this album at:
CD (1990): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


C-7

J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 202 "Weichet nur, betrübte Schatten"; Cantata BWV 209 "Non sa che sia dolore"

Cantatas BWV 202 [20:21], BWV 209 [21:27]

Joshua Rifkin

The Bach Ensemble

Soprano: Julianne Baird

L'Oiseau-Lyre 421424-2

May 1987

CD / TT: 41:48

Recorded at the American Academy oArts and Letters, New York City, New York, USA.
Listen on YouTube: Cantata BWV 202: Complete Cantata [20:31]
Buy this album at:
CD (1990): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


C-8

J.S. Bach: Cantata BWV 8 "Liebster Gott, wenn werd ich sterben"; Cantata BWV 78 "Jesu, der du meine Seele"; Cantata BWV 99 "Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan"

 

Cantatas BWV 78 [22:00], BWV 99 [17:20], BWV 8 [18:24]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble

Soprano: Julianne Baird; Counter-tenor: Allan Fast; Tenor: Frank Kelley; Bass: Jan Opalach

L'Oiseau-Lyre 421728-2

Mar-Apr 1988

CD / TT: 57:59

Recorded at Methuen Memorial Hall, Methuen, Massachusetts, USA.
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineer: John Dunkerley.
Cantata BWV 78: Mvt. 2: Aria - Duet [S, A] 5:18]
Buy this album at:
CD (1989): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


C-9

J.S. Bach: Cantatas BWV 56, 82 & 158

 

Cantatas BWV 56 [17:52], BWV 82 [22:12], BWV 158 [10:54]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble

Bass: Jan Opalach; Soprano: Laurie Monahan; Counter-tenor: Douglas Stevens; Tenor: William Hite

L'Oiseau Lyre 425822-2

Apr 1989

CD / TT: 50:58

Recorded at Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Methuen, Massachusetts, USA.
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineer: John Dunkerley.
Buy this album at:
CD (1991): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


C-10

J.S. Bach: Three Weimar Cantatas (BWV 182, 12, 172)

 

 

Cantatas BWV 182 [28:18], BWV 12 [23:33], BWV 172 [22:10]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble

Soprano: Susanne Rydén; Counter-tenor: Steven Rickards; Tenor: John Elwes; Bass: Michael Schopper
Andreas Lackner (Trumpet); Herbert Walser (Trumpet); Martin Rabl (Trumpet); Niklas Eklund (Trumpet) [BWV 12/6]; Karl Fischer (Timpani); Christopher Krueger (Recorder); Stephen Hammer (Oboe); Stanley Ritchie (Violin); Linda Quan (Violin); Nancy Wilson (Viola); David Miller (Viola); Myron Lutzke (Violoncello); Christian Beuse (Dulcian); John Finney (Organ); Joshua Rifkin (Organ) [BWV 12/4]

Dorian DOR-93231
=

Jul 31, Aug 6-8, 1995; Aug 4, 1996

CD / TT: 73:55
MP3 / TT: 73:39

Recorded at the Kirche des Priesterseminars, Brixton/Bressanone, Italy.
Enginnering & Recording Supervision: Michael Seberich.
See: Three Weimar Cantatas - conducted by Joshua Rifkin
Listen on YouTube:
Cantata BWV 12: Complete Cantata [23:30]
Cantata BWV 172: Complete Cantata [22:07] | Complete Cantata [22:07]
Cantata BWV 182: Complete Cantata [28:15] | Complete Cantata [28:12]
Buy this album at:
CD (1996): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ArkivMusic
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ClassicsOnline | iTunes


C-11

J.S. Bach: Hochzeitkantaten - "Vergnügte Pleißenstadt" BWV 216; "O holder Tag, erwünschte Zeit" BWV 210

 

Cantatas BWV 216 [23:55], BWV 210 [31:28]
BWV 216 recorverd by Joshua Rifkin

Joshua Rifkin

Bach Concertino Osaka

Sopranos: Susanne Rydén [BWV 216], Naomi Satake [BWV 210]; Alto: Marianne Beate Kielland [BWV 216]

Mainich Classics MNCL-104

Mar 20 & 23, 2005

CD / TT: 55:42

Recorded live at Suntory Hall, Tokyo, Japan.
Executive Producer: Tokihiko Umezu; Recording Producer: Yoshinori Nishiwaki (N&F); Balance Engineer: Suenori Fukui (N&F).
2nd recording of Cantata BWV 210 by J. Rifkin.


Recordings of Other Vocal Works


V-1

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor
Bach: Messe en si

 
 

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble (with original instruments)

Sopranos: Judith Nelson, Julianne Baird; Counter-tenors: Jeffrey Dooley, Drew Minter; Tenors: Frank Hoffmeister, Edmund Brownless; Basses: Jan Opalach, Andrew Walker Schultze
The Bach Ensemble: Trumpets: Fred Holmgren, Jesse Levine, Raymond Mase; Horn: Robert Sheldon; Timpani: Ben Harms; Flutes: Christopher Krueger, Anne Briggs; Oboes/Oboes d'amore: Stephen Hammer, Marc Schachman, Kenneth Roth; Organ: James David Christie; Bassoons: Dennis Godburn, Philip Levin; Violin I: Nancy Wilson, Linda Quan; Violin II: Anthony Martin, Nelva TeBrake; Viola: David Miller; Cello: Kenneth Slowik; Violone: Michael Willens

Nonesuch 79036
Nonesuch 9-79036-2
=
Ultima

Dec 31, 1981-Jan 11, 1982

3-LP / TT:
2-CD / TT: 106:29
MP3 / TT: 106:16
2-CD / TT:

Recorded at Rutgers Presbyterian Church, New York City, New York, USA.
LP edition: Production & Marc J. Aubort & Joanna Nickrenz; Enginnering: Elite Recordings, Inc; Mastering: Michele Stone.
CD edition: Production Coordinator: Elise Keen; Director: Keith Holzman.
1st recording in the original version.
See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Joshua Rifkin
Listen on YouTube: Complete Work [105:24]
Buy this album at:
2-CD (1992): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ClassicsOnline
Ultima 2-CD (2002): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


V-2

J.S. Bach: Magnificat BWV 243; G.M. Hoffmann: German Magnificat

 
 

Magnificat in D major BWV 243 [25:44 / 26:25 / 26:15 / 26:17]
G.M. Hoffmann: German Magnificat in A minor, BWV Anh 21 [12:47 / 13:01 / 12:57 / 12:58]

Joshua Rifkin

(No Choir - OVPP - SSATB) / The Bach Ensemble

Sopranos: Jane Bryden [also BWV Anh 21] & Julianne Baird; Counter-tenor: Jeffrey Gall; Tenor: Frank Hoffmeister; Bass: Jan Opalach

Pro Arte PAD-185
Pro Arte CDD-185
Tudor 789

Sep 27-29 1982 & Dec 22, 1982

LP / TT:
CD / TT: 38:31 / 39:26 / 39:12
CD / TT: 39:15

Recorded at American Academy and Institute of Arts and Letters, New York City, New York, USA..
See: BWV 243 Magnificat - conducted by Joshu Rifkin
Buy this album at:
Pro Arte CD (1993): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Tudor CD (1996): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


V-3

J.S. Bach: Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 [Unreleased]

B, U-244 UPDATE

Matthäus-Passion BWV 244

Joshua Rifkin

The Bach Ensemble

Soprano [Soprano in ripieno, 1st Maid, 2nd Maid, Pilate's Wife]: Caroline Helton; Soprano [Chorus Two]: Penelope Jensen; Soprano [Chorus One]: Ann Monoyios; Alto [Chorus Two]: Allan Fast; Alto [Chorus One]: Steven Rickards; Tenor [Chorus One]: Frank Kelley; Tenor [Chorus Two]: Patrick Romano; Bass [Judas, 1st Priest]: Jon Finson; Bass [Peter, Pilate, High Priest, 2nd Priest]: Greg Honeycutt; Bass [Chorus One]: William Sharp; Bass [Chorus Two]: Fredric Moses

North Carolina Public Radio

Feb 2, 1985

Audio / TT:

Live pat the University of North Carolina in 1985; Not Yet Released.
1st recording of Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 by J. Rifkin.


V-4

J.S. Bach: St. Matthew Passion

Matthäus-Passion BWV 244

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / Jerusalem Baroque Orchestra

Chorus I: Soprano: Keren Motseri; Alto: Avital Dery; Tenor [Evangelist]: Richard Resch; Bass: Guy Pelc [Jesus]
Idit Shemer (Flute 1, Recorder); Anna Kondrashina (Flute 2); Aviad Gershoni Oboe, Oboe d'amore, Oboe da caccia 1); Neven Lesange (Oboe, Oboe d'amore, oboe da caccia 2); Noam Schuss (Violin 1) [Lead]; Smadar Schidlowsky (Violin 1); Andrea Hallam (Violin 2); Noam Gal (Violin 2); Tami Borenstein (Viola); Orit Messer-Jacoby (Cello); Dara Blum (Violone); Aviad Stier (Organ)
Chorus II: Soprano: Channa Malkin; Alto: Anne-Marieke Evers; Tenor: Doron Florentin; Bass: Yair Polishuk
Na'ama Lion (Flute 1, Recorder); Sarah Paysnick (Flute 2); Tal Levin (Oboe, oboe d'Amore 1); Kristine Kupča (Oboe, Oboe d'amore 2); Daniel Fradkin (Violin 1); Ralph Allen (Violin 1); Nahara Carmel (Violin 2); Liah Raikhlin (Violin 2); Iris Prugel (Viola); Nima Ben David (Cello, Viola da gamba); Yehuda Halevi (Double-bass); David Shemer (Organ)
Other musicians: Soprano [Ancilla, Uxor Pilatis]: Tchelet Levin; Basss [Judas, Pontifex I]: Lior Inbar; Bass [Petrus, Pilatus, Caiphas, Pontfiex II]: Yoav Weiss
ldit Luzon-Paz (Recorder); Noa Shirvan (Recorder)

Israel Broadcasting Authority

Mar 17, 2016

Audio / TT:

Recorded live at Jerusalem International YMCA Auditorium, Israel, in the frame of Bach in Jerusalem Festival. Broadcast live on the Voice of Music, Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA).
2nd recording of Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 by J. Rifkin.
Listen on IBA Website (until June 2016):
Matthäus-Passion BWV 244: Complete Work


Box Sets/Collections


B-1

J.S. Bach: 6 Favourite Cantatas (Cantatas BWV 147, 80, 140, 8, 51 & 78)

 

CD-1 [71:23]: Cantatas BWV 147 [27:07], BWV 80 [25:41], BWV 8 [18:22]
CD-2 [65:06]: Cantatas BWV 140 [24:54], BWV 51 [17:41], BWV 78 [22:13]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble (on authentic instruments)

BWV 147, 80: Soprano: Jane Bryden; Counter-tenor: Drew Minter; Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas; Bass: Jan Opalach
BWV 8, 78: Soprano: Julianne Baird; Counter-tenor: Allan Fast; Tenor: Frank Kelley; Bass: Jan Opalach
BWV 140, 51: Soprano: Julianne Baird; Counter-tenor: Drew Minter; Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas; Bass: Jan Opalach

L'OLyre 455706-2
=

BWV 147, 80: Sep 1985
BWV 140, 51: Oct 1986
BWV 8, 78: Mar-Apr 1988

2-CD / TT: 136:29
MP3 / TT: 135:32

Recorded at the American Academy of Arts & Letters [BWV 147, BWV 80]; Performing Arts Center, State University of New York [BWV 140, BWV 51]; Methuen Memorial Hall, Massachusetts, USA [BWV 8, BWV 78].
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineers: Simon Eaden [BWV 147, 80, 140, 51], John Dunkerley [BWV 8, 78].
Listen on YouTube:
Cantata BWV 78: Mvt. 2: Aria - Duet [S, A] 5:18]
Buy this album at:
2-CD (1997): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
Music Download: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


B-2

J.S. Bach: Actus Tragicus (Cantatas BWV 106, 131, 99, 56, 82, 158)

 

CD-1 [51:54]: Cantatas BWV 106 [18:46], BWV 131 [19:37], BWV 99 [17:22]
CD-2 [51:15]: Cantatas BWV 56 [17:52], BWV 82 [22:13], BWV 158 [10:54]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble (on authentic instruments)

BWV 106, 131: Soprano: Ann Monoyios; Counter-tenor: Steven Rickards; Tenor: Edmund Brownless; Bass: Jan Opalach
BWV 99: Soprano: Julianne Baird; Counter-tenor: Allan Fast; Tenor: Frank Kelley; Bass: Jan Opalach
BWV 56, 82, 158: Bass: Jan Opalach; Soprano: Laurie Monahan; Counter-tenor: Douglas Stevens; Tenor: William Hite

Decca 458087-2
=

BWV 106, 131: Nov 1985
BWV 9 Mar-Apr 1988
BWV 56, 82, 158: Apr 1989

2-CD / TT: 107:09
MP3 / TT: 106:16

Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and LAetters, New York City, New York, USA [BWV 106, 131]; Methuen Memorial Music Hall, Methuen, Massachusetts, USA [BWV 56. 82, 99, 158]
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineers: Stanley Godall [BWV 106, 131]; John Dunkerl[BWV 56, 82, 99, 158]
Listen on YouTube:
Cantata BWV 99: Complete Cantata [17:27]
Buy this album at:
2-CD (1998): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | ArkivMusic
Music Download 2-CD: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de | iTunes


B-3

J.S. Bach: Weichet nur betrübte Shatten "Hochzeitskantate"; Non sa che sia dolore Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen

 

Cantatas BWV 51 [17:41], BWV 202 [20:16], BWV 209 [21:05]

Joshua Rifkin

The Bach Ensemble

Soprano: Julianne Baird

Decca 468853-2

BWV 51: Oct 1986
BWV 202, 209: May 1987

CD / TT: 59:06

BWV 51: Recorded at Performing Arts Center, State University of New York, USA.
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineers: Simon Eaden.
BWV 202, 209: Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York City, New York, USA.
Buy this album at:

CD (2001): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


B-4

J.S. Bach: Kantaten · Cantatas Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140; Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51; Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78

 
 

Cantatas BWV 140 [24:54], BWV 51 [17:41], BWV 78 [22:13]

Joshua Rifkin

(OVPP - No Choir) / The Bach Ensemble (on authentic instruments)

BWV 140, 51: Soprano: Julianne Baird; Counter-tenor: Drew Minter; Tenor: Jeffrey Thomas; Bass: Jan Opalach
BWV 78: Soprano: Julianne Baird; Counter-tenor: Allan Fast; Tenor: Frank Kelley; Bass: Jan Opalach

L'Oiseau-Lyre 443186-2

BWV 140, 51: Oct 1986
BWV 78: Mar-Apr 1988

CD / TT: 65:06

BWV 140, 51: Recorded at Performing Arts Center, State University of New York, USA.
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineer: Simon Eaden.
BWV 78: Recorded at Methuen Memorial Hall, Massachusetts, USA.
Producer: Peter Wadland; Recording Engineer: John Dunkerley.
Buy this album at:
CD (1994): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de


The list of recordings was compiled by Aryeh Oron (January 2001 - June 2016)
Thanks to contributors: William Hoffman (December 2012), Richard Sams (October 2005), Peter Smaill (August 2006), Burke Smith (November 2008)

Joshua Rifkin: Short Biography | The Bach Ensemble | Recordings of Vocal Works | General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Bach:Sommer
Individual Recordings:
Three Weimar Cantatas - J. Rifkin | BWV 232 - J. Rifkin | BWV 243 - J. Rifkin
Book:
Bach's Choral Ideal [by J. Rifkin] | Article: The Passion according to Saint Matthew BWV 244 [By J. Rifkin]


Conductors of Vocal Works: Main Page | A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | Singers & Instrumentalists




 

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Last update: Saturday, June 24, 2017 09:05