Bach: Magnificat / Ricercar Consort

Soloists Maria Keohane, Anna Zander, Carlos Mena, Hans Jörg Mammel and Stephan MacLeod, Ricercar Consort, directed by Philippe Pierlot

Johann Sebastian Bach: Magnificat BWV243 / Messe BWV235

2010 Gramophone Awards Shortlist: Baroque Vocal
Gramophone Editor's Choice - March 2010
Bach’s most popular vocal work is also the one which most clearly expresses the deep joy, trust and humility of religious faith. Yet this hymn of praise is nevertheless rigorously constructed. It is framed by two large-scale choruses (the opening ‘Magnificat’ and the concluding ‘Gloria’) which call for the full orchestral forces of two flutes, two oboes, three trumpets, timpani, strings and continuo. In between come three more intimate sections, each beginning with an aria and ending with a chorus. To complete the overall symmetry, the final chorus partly reuses the music of the first chorus (‘Magnificat’), thus applying in its music the principle of the text: ‘Sicut erat in principio, et nunc et semper, et in saecula saeculorum’ – ‘As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end’.
Continuing their exploration of the sacred vocal music of the great Johann Sebastian Bach, Philippe Pierlot and his Ricercar Consort couple the Magnificat with the Mass BWV 235 for their latest release on Mirare. They are joined by the distinguished soloists Maria Keohane, Anna Zander, Carlos Mena, Hans Jörg Mammel and Stephan MacLeod, all of whom appeared in the same programme at La Folle Journée in Nantes and Tokyo in 2009.

Price: $24.98