 TELDEC Das Alte Werk 4509-91183-2 |
J.S.Bach Notbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach Tragicomedia John Potter - tenor Emily Van Evera - soprano Harvey Brough - tenor Richard Wistreich - bass Erin Headley - viola da gamba Andrew Lawrence-King, harps/arpanetta/organ Stephen Stubbs - lute |
Fanfare
"Simplicity, clarity, tenderness,
humor. Think of all the qualities you most admire in art and you get some idea
of how I feel about this disc. I often come across a good recording that I play
with pleasure, occasionally a wonderful one that I listen to with delight. But
I feel something like love for this disc, which I have played far more often
than any other I have been asked to review. I put it on when I should be doing
something else and I put it on at midnight when I'm having a glass of wine and
can do anything I want. This is my CD of the Year, of course, and I imagine of
the Decade as well."
Gramophone
"An intimate peep into the domestic life of the
Bach family is what makes Anna Magdalena's Notebook such a treasured
collection, exceeding the didactic popularity which it has enjoyed in the last
100 years. This recording attempts to banish haunting memories of erroneous
fingering in the Minuet in G and a ruler deftly placed on the offending digit.
A degree of creativity from Tragicomedia should help: their selection takes
full advantage of the flexibilities of Hausmusik and is performed not on
keyboard instruments but on a variety of harps and lutes. Tragicomedia's
performances, then, are presented in a spirit of practical recreational music
played on instruments that were 'at hand'. The music which Anna Magdalena chose
for her collection reflects many values of the Bach family, from the central
place of religion to pieces by musical friends, admired colleagues and members
of the family, as well as old favourites. The texts reveal an environment where
peace, rest and comfort are highly prized, enhanced by an attraction to
pastoral genres and 'slumber' pieces. This cosy world is acutely represented by
Tragicomedia both in the undemonstrative settings and the warmth of expression
which prevail throughout."
Classic
CD
"The characteristic sound of this ensemble is a combination of
double and triple harp with lute, which makes a very agreeable twang indeed: a
music box sonority but with warmth and humanity rather than mechanical
phrasing. To vary the texture some items are played on the baroque organ, and
others given to a perfectly tuned vocal ensemble led by the tenor John Potter.
He opens the disc with a chastely affectionate rendering of Wachet auf,
one of two numbers brought in from outside the Notebook - the other is the C
major Fugue from the 48. The luminous acoustics of St Andrew's Toddington
complete an impression of calm and order which is probably a long way from the
bustle of the Bach household."
Click below to Listen to Samples or Buy Notbüchlein für Anna Magdalena Bach |
||
In the U.S. -  |
In the U.K.- |
In Germany -  |
| Home | Artists |