Le Concert Lorrain, Stephan Schultz, Christoph Pregardien
Description
This new release from Etcetera records presents live recordings of J.S. Bach's Cantatas BWV 56 & 82, and selected movements from the St Matthew's Passion (BWV 244). Critically acclaimed for his performances and recordings of the Evangelist roles in Bach's St John Passion and St Matthew Passion, Christoph Pregardien's precise vocal control, clear diction, intelligent musicality, and ability to reach the heart of everything he sings has secured him a place among the world's foremost lyric tenors.
This new release features world premiere recordings of Pregardien's performances of Bach's Cantatas BWV 56 and 82.
Pregardien can regularly be heard at major venues around the world, including the Vienna Konzerthaus, the Concertgebouw Amsterdam, the Philharmonie Paris, London's Wigmore Hall. He appears regularly with renowned orchestras the world over, including the Boston and San Francisco Symphonies, and with conductors such as Barenboim and Nagano
Since its creation in 2000, Le Concert Lorrain has quickly established itself on the international baroque scene thanks to the enthusiasm and high standards of its two artistic directors, the harpsichordist Anne-Catherine Bucher and the cellist Stephan Schultz.
Le Concert Lorrain has also recorded Handel's Israel in Egypt under the direction of Roy Goodman for Etcetera Records: the ensemble are acclaimed for their "consistently insightful and sympathetic performances" [Gramophone, KTC1517].
"The St Matthew Passion aria 'Mache dich', towards the end of this album, is certainly worth the wait, however. Here I'll take all the oaky gravitas that Prégardien can muster and applaud super playing from the ensemble." – Gramophone
"[Le Concert Lorrain's] playing remains breezy and genial throughout this live recording, a broad wash of lovely sound" – BBC Music Magazine
Unmistakable remain [Prégardien's] high notes, which he savors lyrically, and also his depth, which he sings with robustness. His articulation, which allows every word to be understood, and his concentration on the value of each word offers him the chance to create the right expressive value in each case. [Le Concert Lorrain] cultivates a style of playing enriched with French flair, which […] finds a gentle and softer way of interpretation. – Pizzicato ****
"a riot of sprightly playing [and] Bachian balance of exuberance and sublimity. […] Pregardien spins deliciously unflustered phrases that have both direction and purpose." – Gramophone
Tracklisting
Bruno Monteiro, Joao Paulo Santos
Hendrickje Van Kerckhove, Eddy Vanoosthuyse, Severine Sierens, Hannelore Vermeir, Hans Ryckelynck,
Nuno Cernadas
Amy Norrington, Piet Kuijken
Herman Jeurissen, Ensemble Capricorno, Geerten van der Wetering
Currende, Erik van Vevel
Thomas Blondelle, Filip Rathe
Marco Mantovani
Arianna Art Ensemble
Steven Isserlis
Marie Stockmarr Becker & Ilaria Macedonio
Paolo Pandolfo
Apollo's Fire; Jeannette Sorrell
Apollo's Fire; Jeannette Sorrell
Altberg Ensemble, Jorg-Andreas Botticher
Musica Temprana
