Bach Cantatas: Monteverdi Choir/Gardiner
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Actor: John Eliot GardinerDVD: Region Code 1
Audio: German (Original Language); English (Unknown), Dolby Surround; German (Subtitled); French (Subtitled)
Format: Classical, Color, DVD, NTSC
Picture Format: 1.78:1
Running Time: 127 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2001-11-20
Audience Rating: NR (Not Rated)
Studio: BBC / Opus Arte
DVD Reviews of Bach Cantatas: Monteverdi Choir/Gardiner
DVD Review: a voice teacher and early music fan
Summary: 5 Stars
TWO SECTIONS TO THIS VIDEO: SIXTY SEVEN MINUTE PERFORMANCE OF BACH'S MOST ATTRACTIVE CANTATAS FOR THE ELEVENTH SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.-SIXTY MINUTE DOCUMENTARY OF GARDINER'S TOUR THAT INCLUDES EXCERPTS FROM MANY OF HIS OTHER PERFORMANCES DURING THE TOUR. More specifically, the towns that Gardiner chose for his tour all had special significance in Bach's life, and the cantatas he chose were directly related to the event involved. Gardiner explains all of this very clearly in the documentary which actually mesmorized me throughout, so much so that I ignored the telephone, the doorbell and anything else that went on during that time. I would suggest that you view the Documentary before the accompanying concert. The towns involved are: Weimar, Leipzig, Hamburg, Eisenach, Arnstadt, Blythburgh, Kirkwall, Iona, St.Davids, Cologne and New York City.
In the year 2000,John Eliot Gardiner set out on his Bach Pilgrimage, the goal of which was to perform all of Bach's Sacred Cantatas in various churches throughout Europe. This was done over a fifty-two week period, and it was with religious fervor that his Orchestra, Chorus and Soloists achieved this unique goal.
One must admire Gardiner for his belief and perserverence in such a far-out and somewhat crazy project. The difficulty alone of traveling to different areas, and having to learn three or four cantatas per week had to be a grueling experience for the musicians. However, the truth of the DVD cannot be denied, and this tour borders on the miraculous. For the most part, choir and soloists alike give us an emotional and profound experience.
As to the three cantatas performed in the concert portion of the DVD, I most of all question Gardiner's selection of them. To my thinking they do not seem to be that interesting among the line-up of all the others he might have chosen. BWV 179 was the most interesting of the lot, because it seemed to move along tunefully and the three soloists performed well in this one: Padmore(tenor)was magnificent, Kozena (assuming that you like her voice quality) was quite good and Stephen Loges (bass) was adequate to the task.
Cantata 199 was attractive, but it seemed odd that Gardiner chose this one that only used a soprano soloist throughout with occasional choral participation; it did not really allow much variety for the listeners. But I must confess to the fact that I really minded two things about Kozena: her delivery was overactive and the emotion displayed was more physical than 'Bachian'. I know many will disagree with me on that, and that's OK. I admit to prejudice for singers like Emma Kirkby, who can produce excellent Bach and keep her bodily motions to a minimum. So sue me all of you Kozena lovers; you have a right.
Cantata 113 was easy to take with such an excellent aria sung by Padmore, who really knows how to sing Bach the way it should be sung! A big disppointment to me was the countertenor William Towers: his delivery was weak, to say the least, and he's not quite ready to sing Bach. Now here is a good question for Gardiner. During the course of the tour he made use of many well-known singers such as Mark Padmore, but he also had access to Michael Chance, Daniel Taylor and even Derek Ragin. Why choose a novice like Towers???Unless nobody else could make it. I certainly would have welcomed a David Daniels.
All of the above is my own personal reaction that may or MAY NOT agree with your's, but that's the great thing about listening to music. We can all feel and respond to it the way we like, so go for it!
The Documentary was inspirational to see and hear, as the varied soloists appeared, though briefly, throughout the different performances. Each individual's enthusiasm for Bach and Gardiner too, was quite apparent. One can also see intensity and a touch of fatigue on the faces of the musicians as the tour progresses. But professionals they are, and they sang well all the way to New York City, the final concert of the Pilgrimage
It is most unfortunate that Deutches Grammofon axed the release of all of the recordings (curses on them, I say),but they are gradually being made available through Gardiner's own recording company SDG, and I eagerly await the next one which is Vol. 4, to be released around June 29.
The website: [...] includes an inordinate amount of information about all of the Volumes of Bach Cantatas from the Pilgrimage in great detail (thank-you Oliver, my friend). These recordings constitute an extraordinary testament to some of the finest music ever written and a true belief in the power of music.
The packaging includes a booklet with historical notes and biographies in English, French and German. Full Texts of the three performance cantatas and subtitles in English, French and German. Total Time=127 minutes.
DVD Review: Fascinating documentary; terrific performances
Summary: 5 Stars
I'm a great lover of Bach's music, but am not at all an expert in the correct interpretation of his music. But I know what I like, and I don't like this dvd: I love it.
The performances were terrific, I thought. I did not find it at all boring, as another reviewer has. All four of the soloists sing convincingly, and you can't beat the chorus and orchestra under Gardiner's direction.
The documentary telling the story of the journey around Germany, visiting places where Bach played, but also performing in Europe, Britain and New York, mostly on the days of the church year the cantatas were originally written for holds my interest each time I watch it.
Highly recommended.
DVD Review: Great Performance
Summary: 4 Stars
This DVD brings you in a state of peace, with performance that will enchant you.
I highly recommend it.
Stephane
DVD Review: A great experience to the reproduction of Bach's Cantatas
Summary: 5 Stars
The main part of this DVD release records 3 Bach cantatas as part of the very ambitious "pilgrimage" by conductor John Eliot Gardiner. The project was to perform the Bach's full cantata set in 50-plus locations around the world in a year of time. A second part is a documentary that followed the ensemble through their excursions, rehearsals, and performances in the project.
Though hardly music critics, we can only relate how excited we are when watching the performance in the main track and being broght along in their tour by the documentary. We gained a much better understanding on the locations and time J.S. Back had composed his magnificent set of works through the performance and the documentary.
Definitely a DVD release for all classical music lover to own.
DVD Review: Exciting, moving, fascinating experience.
Summary: 5 Stars
Since couldn't have been there, neither in J.S.Bach's days, nor accompany the wondrous pilgrimage journey in the year 2000, I feel so lucky having the opportunity to participate, though spiritually, in this moving odyssey along Bach's landscapes and music. Most gifted and loving production by the BBC, conducted by Sir John Eliot Gardiner. The music, no need to say, divine. Performance expressive and thrilling. Thanks so much!
Description of Bach Cantatas: Monteverdi Choir/Gardiner
Sir John Eliot Gardiner's pilgrimage tour with recorded performances from Weimer, Leipzig, Hamburg, Eisenach, Arnstadt, Blythburgh, Kirkwall, Iona, St. Davids, Cologne and New York. With Magdalena Kozena, William Towers, Mark Padmore, Stephan Loges, Monteverdi Choir, and the English Baroque Soloists.Taking the Bach cantatas as a basis for a year-long pilgrimage in 2000, conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner led the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists on an emotional and artistically triumphant world tour to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the composer's death. These performances feature Cantatas 179, 199, and 113, all composed for the Eleventh Sunday after Trinity, in marvelously dramatic interpretations by the choir and soloists, including soprano Magdalena Kozen, alto William Towers, tenor Mark Padmore, and bass Stephan Loges. Gardiner's mission to expose the delicacy of emotion at the heart of Bach's deceptively simple melodies pays dividends in settings that range from baroque German cathedrals to the austere bleakness of the island of Iona off Scotland. It's a moving spiritual journey thanks to the passion of the performances and, above all, to Gardiner's vision of Bach's continuing relevance in the modern world at the beginning of a new millennium. --Piers Ford
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