Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki, Carolyn Sampson - J.S. Bach: Cantatas, Vol. 30 - BWV 51, 210, 1127 (2006) Hi-Res

Within six months of being discovered in the summer of 2005, Bach's Aria "Alles mit Gott und nicht ohn' ihn" (All things with God and nothing without Him) received three recordings: one by John Eliot Gardiner, one by Ton Koopman, and this one by Masaaki Suzuki. This is well and proper: any "new" work by Bach is worth hearing and a terrific "new" work is especially worth hearing. But while it is a terrific work -- a light- and faith-filled hymn to God set for soprano accompanied by continuo and a ritornello of violins and viola -- the question is: how much of it does anyone really need or want to hear? Because, aside from its graceful melody, its elegant accompaniment, and its flowing rhythm, the truth about the Aria "Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn' ihn" is that it is a strophic setting of 12 verses to exactly the same music lasting around four minutes, so in a complete performance of all 12 verses, the work will last nearly 50 minutes. In their recordings, Gardiner and Koopman perform only four verses each, but Suzuki performs all 12 verses in his recording. And even with the warm-toned and clear-eyed Carolyn Sampson accompanied by Suzuki leading the skillful Bach Collegium Japan, it does go on...and on...and on...and on. Although some Bach lovers may be enchanted, others may find that nearly 50 minutes of the same music may be more than they can bear. Coupled with a superb performance of Bach's celebratory Cantata "Jauchzeit Gott in Allen Landen!," this disc will be mandatory for some Bach lovers. Others may find Gardiner or Koopman's truncated versions are all they really need. BIS' super audio sound is cool, clear, and crisp.