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Recordings & Discussions of Other Vocal Works:
Main Page
| Motets BWV 225-231
| Mass in B minor BWV 232
| Missae Breves & Sanctus BWV 233-242
| Magnificat BWV 243
| Matthäus-Passion BWV 244
| Johannes-Passion BWV 245
| Lukas-Passion BWV 246
| Markus-Passion BWV 247
| Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248
| Oster-Oratorium BWV 249
| Chorales BWV 250-438
| Geistliche Lieder BWV 439-507
| AMN BWV 508-523
| Quodlibet BWV 524
| Aria BWV 1127
| Motet BWV 1165=Anh 159
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Magnificat BWV 243
Conducted by Masaaki Suzuki |
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Suzuki's Magnificat |
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Ryan Michero wrote (April 22, 1999):
No sooner did I send my message regarding Suzuki's St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) than I found out Suzuki and BIS have released ANOTHER major Bach recording:
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New Releases, March, 1999:
Magnificat.
Johann Kuhnau: Magnificat in C; Jan Dismas Zelenka: Magnificat in C, ZWV 107; Magnificat in D, ZWV 108. J.S. Bach: Magnificat in D, BWV 243.
Bach Collegium Japan directed by Masaaki Suzuki; Miah Persson, soprano; Yukari Nonoshita, soprano; Akira Tachikawa, alto; Gerd Türk, tenor; Chiyuki Urano, bass.
Magnificat anima mea Dominum (My soul doth magnify the Lord) Mary's exclamation of joy echoes down the ages in innumerable compositions, not least in the Baroque period. The Bach Collegium Japan have chosen four magnificent settings, three of them little performed, for this inspired disc.
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As much as the St. Matthew recording excites me, this one makes my heart flutter! Not only does this recording include the Bach Magnificat, but THREE other Magnificat settings by two talented, under-recorded composers. For those of you who don't know Zelenka, he is one of my favorite composers, a unique and fascinating figure who was much admired by Bach himself. His vocal music that I have heard is wonderful, but there are very few worthwhile recordings of it on the market. And regarding Kuhnau, he was Bach's predecessor at Leipzig, so his setting can give us an idea of Bach's models for his own Magnificat.
Suzuki and company sure are keeping busy! I may have to get a second job to pay for all of these new recordings! |
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Magnificat - Another Vote for Suzuki |
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Piotr Jaworski wrote (June 23, 1999):
I wrote the following lines before I've opened my mail-box this morning:
"Without doubts recordings by Herreweghe, Hickox and Parrott are "model ones", however there is the very fresh newcomer, from the Big Creative Japanese - Mr. Masaaki Suzuki! Recently issued by BIS, coupled with three other Magnificats - one of Kuhnau and two of Zelenka.
After reading Jane Newble message I've listened once again to that record this morning (agree: 7 a.m. makes the listening very ... stimulating). All who at least enjoyed cantatas in Suzuki interpretation will certainly be not disappointed.
To me, Suzuki is definitely Herreweghe's spiritual pupil, and both recordings being strong competitors to each other, leave the rest behind."
Afterwards, I read morning message from Ryan (hats off! - again) - and agree with everything.
Will we be able to stand waiting several months for his St. Matthäus BWV 244) ??? |
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Magnificats from Suzuki |
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Donald Satz wrote (December 4, 1999):
Masaaki Suzuki has been plowing his way through Bach's sacred vocal works with relatively high critical acclaim. Bach's Magnifcat in D is a very well known work which Suzuki could have added to one of his cantata seris discs. That's not what he wanted to do. Instead, he programmed Bach's Magnificat with another by Kuhnau and two short ones by Zelenka. I think this is an interesting strategy that sets it apart from most other recordings having Bach's Magnificat.
For this program to click, the Magnificats by Kuhnau and Zelenka have to be worthy of sharing space with Bach, and Suzuki's Bach performance has to be a good one. I'm glad to say that the recording is a success on both fronts.
Both Kuhnau and Zelenka are excellent composers, although quite different. I'd call Kuhnau a "composer's composer". Within the confines of his musical inspiration (which is high), the man writes with superb craft and structure. Everything is just as it should be for enjoyment to be insured. Zelenka is much less predictable. He has quirks which affect people differently. He surprises listeners with his adventurous harmonies. They are both a joy to listen to.
Suzuki's performance of Bach's Magnificat is excellent. The orchestra sounds perfect, and sound quality could not be better. It compares well with Gardiner on Philips and has better sound. However, Gardiner's coupling is my desert island cantata recording, BWV 51.
My only reservation with this new recording concerns the two soprano soloists, Miah Persson and Yukari Nonoshita. They have nice voices, but what they have is on the weak side and their expressiveness is rather low. The men, Akira Tachikawa, Gerd Türk, and Chiyuki Urano are much better - they added to the performance.
So, we have a very fine recording which is programmed imaginatively. But, I can't give it a "must-buy" tag because of the sopranos. If a listener wants only one version of Bach's Magnificat, I'd recommend going with Gardiner and his fantastic coupling. For those who own multiple versions, the Suzuki should be a winner. For those who are primarily interested in Kuhnau/Zelenka, I think you'll love the music.
Back to the vocalists. Suzuki's female soloists havebeen the weak link in his Bach recordings from the beginning. Everything else is exceptional - those soloists are just good. I'd love to see him remove that weak link, and it shouldn't be hard to do. With that problem out of the way, I think I'd prefer Suzuki to Koopman.
Almost forgot. Suzuki is on BIS, and the catalog number is BIS-1011, an easy one to remember. |
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