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
Mathias Coppens, Justus Grimm, Barbara Baltussen, Roeland Hendrikx, Sergei Redkin, Mathis Rochat, S
Carlos Damas, Ruben Lorenzo
Franches Dhont, Lukas Huisman
Elias Agsteribbe, Samuel Van De Velde
Madoka Nakamaru, Wouter Dekoninck
Ensemble Les Alizes, Clemence Comte
Mihai Cocea, Oana Zamfir
Musica Gloria, Nele Vertommen, Beniamino Paganini
Daniel-Ben Pienaar
Nicolo Balducci; Sophie Rennert; Benedetta Mazzucato; Martin Vanberg; Riccardo Novaro; NovoCanto; L
Seda Amir-Karayan; Fritz Kramer; Camerata Vivaldiana
L'Orfeo Barockorchester; Carin van Heerden
Artem Dzeganovskyi; Leonard Gatti; Sonia Hrechorowicz
Arcis-Vocalisten Munchen; Barockorchester L'Arpa Festante; Monika Mauch; Ulrike Malotta; Georg Popl
Hamburger Ratsmusik; Neoclassical Ensemble of Tehran
Barthold Kuijken; Ewald Demeyere
