let the reissuing commence...

This is Ton Koopman's label and the reissue of the second volume of his undertaking to record all of Bach's Cantatas.
(Ton Koopman had started this notable undertaking on the Erato Label (Warner Music Group) - from which he was bumped after 12 wonderful volumes. He is now at vol.14 - with 8 more to go)

This is the second volume as it had appeared on Erato - and it stands as strong now as it did then. With strong competition these days, especially after several modern recordings of complete Bach works (notable especially the recordings of Helmut Rilling on Haenssler), the Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra still makes a strong case for these works and for their versions of them.

Surely, they are not perfect - and sometimes Barbara Schlick (Soprano), Kai Wessel (Alto), Christoph Prégardien (Tenor) and Klaus Mertens (Bass) are not all on top of their game all the time, but then, perfection will not be found on other sets either. Neglecting details, I'd like to assure everyone that this set is indeed a wonderful one - and one that would not disappoint. For those who want to seek out what may come closer to their idea of 'definitive' versions, I recommend http://www.jsbach.org as an invaluable resource - as well as the reviews on http://www.gramophone.co.uk

Whether as a beginner to Bach's cantatas or a Bach-veteran looking for an integral set of his Cantatas, this is one of the volumes that deserves serious consideration. That Ton Koopman's playing is absolutely superb may be unnecessary to mention, but certainly helps the recordings that now span 14 volumes.


Volume 2 features the following singers:

Klaus Mertens, Kai Wessel, Christoph Prégardien & Barbara Schlick

in the following Cantatas:

Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen, BWV 12
Gleich wie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt, BWV 18
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61
Bereitet die Wege, bereitet die Bahn!, BWV 132
Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152
Erschallet, ihr Lieder, erklinget ihr Saiten!, BWV 172
Himmelskönig sei willkommen, BWV 182
Mein Herze schwimmt im Blut, BWV 199
Amore traditore, BWV 203
Quodlibet, BWV 524 [fragment]

and various alternative movements.

Run time 3h 2m

Other reviews of Koopman Bach Cantatas can be found here:

Complete Cantatas, Volume 1
Coffee- & Peasant-Cantata
Marian Feast Cantatas
Wedding Cantatas