Tokyo Performances

Bach Collegium Japan Cantata Series

Bach Collegium Japan
Led by Masaaki Suzuki
Tokyo Opera City
15 September 2007

Expecting choral cantatas, I arrived to find that the perfromance would be of four solo cantatas. Oh, well. They were numbers 84, 56, 82 and 49. Each featured a small consort of period instruments and a soloist.

Number 84 featured Carolyn Sampson who has a crystal clear, truly beautiful voice. At the end of the piece she was joined by three other soloists for the closing chorale, which, although brief, was beautiful. The primary accompaniment was a wonderfully played oboe.

Number 56 featured bass Peter Kooij, who was a fine artist but whose voice was immemorable. Another lovely chorale closed this work.

Number 52 featured Ms Sampson again and a "flauto traverso". By then I was rather weary.

The final piece had the largest forces, including a "violoncello da spalla" strapped to the poor player's neck. It featured both soloists.

I have to say that I remained entranced the entire afternoon, but four solo cantatas goes a long way. That being said, they bear repeated hearings.

Altogether the playing and singing were first rate. The ensemble has the reputation of being the best interpreters of the Bach cantatas in the world. That I do not doubt.

posted by Larry Wells @ 6:29 PM