Altbachisches Archiv - Cantus Colln - Concerto Palatino / Konrad Junghanel - 2CDs - 2003.

Altbachisches Archiv - Cantus Colln - Concerto Palatino / Konrad Junghanel - 2CDs - 2003.

Includes works by:

Johann Bach (1604-1673)

Heinrich Bach (1615-1692)

Johann Christoph Bach (1642-1703)

Georg Christoph Bach (1642-1697)

Johann Michael Bach (1648-1694)

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Total Time : CD1: 76',39" CD2: 76',21"

"If Bach had not lovingly preserved the works of his forefathers, we would know almost nothing about them. His collection, known since the eighteenth century as the 'Altbachisches Archiv', was published for the first time in 1935. The original manuscripts, lost during the Second World War, were recently located in the Archives in Kiev. Here now is a recording of the complete collection."


PREIS DER DEUTSCHEN

PHONOAKADEMIE - ECHO KLASSIK 2004.


Penguin Guide Rosette star 'the singing is of the highest calibre, as is the authentic instrumental contribution, and everything comes over freshly and spontaneously'


Reviews :

Classics Today : David Vernier - 6/20/2003 & 10/15/2006

This fascinating set will be essential listening for fans of the most famous Bach, for it helps put in perspective Johann Sebastian's historical position--but more importantly, it clearly demonstrates his unapproachable preeminence among members of one of the world's most distinguished and talented musical families. While most of these cantatas, motets, and arias written in the generation before Sebastian show a similarity of style--largely homophonic, declamatory, straightforward dialogues between chorus and orchestra or between sections of the chorus--there are some notable exceptions. Foremost among these is Johann Christoph's (a first cousin of Sebastian's father) strange and wonderful cantata Es erhub sich ein Streit im Himmel, a work for 22 voices. Once performed in Leipzig by J.S. himself, its text is "a depiction of St. John's vision of the war of the angels", and Christoph's exuberant, trumpet-laden setting is reminiscent of the most vivid and boldly scored battle pieces (Biber's Battaglia, for instance) that were enormously popular during the 18th century.

The cantatas by Johann Michael and Johann Christoph are vastly different from those later, transcendent works by Johann Sebastian, lacking the conceptual sophistication and devoid of the often extended, profound musical explications of the texts. Rather, the layouts tend to adopt a more overtly accessible, conspicuous presentation that eschews thematic development and polyphonic devices in favor of clearly stated, rhythmically square structures that in many cases have more in common with the style of viol consort music of the previous century than with the flashier concoctions of, for instance, Schütz or Gabrieli.

Not surprisingly, the musicians of Cantus Cölln and Concerto Palatino take to this music with sincerity, focused enthusiasm, and appreciation for both the stylistic nuances and occasions for expressive abandon. These scores, which resided in Johann Sebastian's library and were missing for more than 50 years following World War II, are a priceless legacy from a period of unsurpassed musical creativity, and we are fortunate to have these significant works performed and preserved in such thoughtful, polished, and sonically respectable form.

BBC music magazine : Nicholas Anderson

The Altbachisches Archiv is the name commonly given to a collection of pieces by older members of the Bach family which was lovingly and assiduously collected by its most illustrious member, Johann Sebastian. Though published in the mid-Thirties, the manuscripts themselves disappeared at the end of the Second World War and were recovered from the Ukraine only two or three years ago. Cantus Cölln performs a generous selection of pieces from the archive, providing the listener with an astonishing conspectus of a unique family achievement. Many, if not all, of the pieces here have been previously recorded, notably by Musica Antiqua Köln/Reinhard Goebel (DG Archiv) and Capella Sancti Michaelis/ Ricercar Consort/Philippe Herreweghe/Erik van Nevel (Ricercar). Goebel’s anthology more closely compares with the new issue inasmuch as it, too, contains the impressively laid-out cantatas by Johann Christoph Bach, the most original of Bach’s ancestors and the one whom JSB himself is known to have admired and whose music he performed at Leipzig. Especially arresting is the 22-part cantata Es erhub sich ein Streit im Himmel, whose sonorous scoring for four trumpets, drums and strings provides an awesome, Miltonic picture of the war in heaven.

Konrad Junghänel directs all with imagination and sound musical judgement. Elsewhere, his generally accomplished forces project a variety of contrasting images as, for instance, in the poignantly affecting motet ‘Unser Leben ist ein Schatten’ by Johann Bach, the oldest musical representative of the family. The singing is mainly very good indeed, setting the seal on an issue of outstanding interest.

More infos about Konrad Junghanel : Here
More infos about Cantus Colln : Here (in german) or Here

Listen to the Smples : Here

Tracklist :

CD: 1-2 : Altbachisches Archiv - Cantus Colln - Concerto Palatino / Konrad Junghanel - 2CDs - 2003.

01. Johann Michael Bach : Kantate - 'Die Furcht des Herren ist der Weisheit Anfang' [0:09:07.57]

02. Johann Christoph Bach : Motette - 'Lieber Gott, wecke uns auf' [0:03:17.28]

03. Johann Christoph Bach : Lamento - 'Wie bist du denn, o Gott, in Zorn auf mich entbrannt' [0:11:56.22]

04. Anonym (Adam Drese) : Aria - 'Nun ist alles uberwunden' [0:03:37.03]

05. Johann Christoph Bach : Kantate - 'Es erhub sich ein Streit im Himmel' [0:08:41.25]

06. Johann Michael Bach : Motette - 'Ich weiί, dab mein Erloser lebt' [0:01:50.25]

07. Johann Michael Bach : Aria - 'Auf, labt uns den Herrn loben' [0:04:20.72]

08. Johann Christoph Bach : Motette - 'Unsers Herzens Freude hat ein Ende' [0:07:32.20]

09. Anonym : Arie - 'Weint nicht um meinen Tod' [0:02:59.00]

10. Johann Christoph Bach : Kantate - 'Meine Freundin, du bist schon' [0:23:17.25]

CD: 2-2 : Altbachisches Archiv - Cantus Colln - Concerto Palatino / Konrad Junghanel - 2CDs - 2003.

01. Johann Christoph Bach : Motette - Herr, nun lassest du deinen Diener [0:04:25.15]

02. Kantate - Herr, wende dich und sei mir gnadig [0:13:02.12]

03. Kantate - Der Gerechte, ob er gleich zu zeitlich stirbt [0:04:35.73]

04. Johann Bach : Motette - Unser Leben ist ein Schatten auf Erden [0:06:49.00]

05. Johann Michael Bach : Aria - Ach wie sehnlich wart ich der Zeit [0:05:09.62]

06. Motette - Herr, wenn ich nur dich habe [0:03:21.43]

07. Georg Christoph Bach : Kantate - Siehe, wie fein und lieblich ist [0:07:19.05]

08. Johann Christoph Bach : Aria - Mit Weinen hebt sich an [0:05:20.02]

09. Lamento - Ach, dass ich Wassers gnug hatte [0:07:21.45]

10. Johann Michael Bach : Motette - Nun hab ich uberwunden [0:03:42.68]

11. Johann Christoph Bach: Aria - Es ist nun aus mit meinem Leben [0:04:26.07]

12. Johann Bach? / Jonas de Fletin? : Motetten - Sei nun wieder zufrieden, meine Seele [0:03:32.03]

13. Johann Michael Bach : Motette - Das Blut Jesu Christi, des Sohnes Gottes [0:03:26.17]

14. Johann Sebastian Bach : Motette - Ich lasse dich nicht, du segnest mich denn [0:03:50.35]