Pachelbel and Bach -canons and cantatas -J.S.Bach Cantatas Nos.4, 54, 99, Pachelbel Christ lag in Todesbanden, etc : The Bach Players (2CD)

Johann Pachelbel - friend of the Bach family and 30 years older than Johann Sebastian - is represented on this double album by a generous sample of work. We see Pachelbel as a substantial composer in his own right, and placed alongside J.?S.?Bach. Pachelbel's cantatas 'Christ lag in Todesbanden' and 'Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan' are played alongside Bach's settings of the same texts. These are two of the latter composer's most brilliant works, given here in ear-opening performances by four voices and single strings. A third Bach cantata, 'Widerstehe doch der Snde', for solo alto voice, is added. Among the instrumental pieces here is Pachelbel's imperishable and hypnotic Canon in Da major, and a very fresh arrangement of canons from Bach's Goldberg Variations. Performers are: Rachel Elliott (soprano), Sally Bruce-Payne (alto), Samuel Boden (tenor), James Gilchrist (tenor), Matthew Brook (bass), Marion Moonen (flute), James Eastaway (oboe), Nicolette Moonen (violin & artistic director), Stephen Pedder (violin), Rachel Isserlis (violin / viola), Rachel Stott (viola / tenor viola), Karin Bjrk (violetta), Alison McGillivray (cello), Piroska Baranyay (cello), Alastair Mitchell (bassoon), Valerie Botwright (double bass), Silas Wollston (organ?/?harpsichord). The Bach Players can notch up yet another resounding success in their ever inventive explorations of Johann Sebastian by juxtaposing works by other composers. Pachelbel's ubiquitous Canon does rear it's head (although shorn of it's delightful companion Gigue), but here it forms part of a broader view of the composer. There is little to dislike here, and much to enjoy: the team of singers demonstrates technical brilliance and expressive force, while the instrumentalists are equally excellent, particularly in Pachelbel's G major Partie. Invidious as it would be to single out one part of this outstanding team effort, James Gilchrist's duet with flautist Marion Moonen in 'Erschttre dich' from Bach's 'Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan' is masterful and utterly enthralling. Adrian Horsewood (Early Music Today, June-August 2012)