Bach: Weihnachts-Oratorium (Christmas Oratorio, BWV 248) /Bach Collegium Japan * Suzuki
Masaaki Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan have done it again: their recording of Bach'sChristmas OratoriojoinsJohn Eliot Gardiner's andTon Koopman's accounts at the head of the period-instruments field. In fact, Suzuki's interpretation is a happy medium between Gardiner's energetic vigor and Koopman's gentle radiance. The blend and diction of the Japanese choir are exemplary; the playing of the orchestra (especially the valveless brass) is just about flawless. Gerd Türk sounds a bit uncomfortable with the Evangelist's recitatives, but he sings the florid tenor arias superbly, partnering with the obbligato instruments particularly well. Countertenor Yoshikazu Mera and soprano Monika Frimmer both sound uneasy at the top of their ranges, but their sensitivity to text is excellent and their voices are pure enough almost to pass for the teenagers for whom Bach wrote these solos. The invaluable bass Peter Kooy gives yet another rich-voiced, sensitive performance. Most importantly, Suzuki and his musicians bring real dignity and conviction to Bach's music: there's real belief in this performance.--Matthew Westphal