CD review reprinted from :

CD REVIEW MAGAZINE

J.S. BACH: TENOR ARIAS WITH FLUTE
Cantata & Oratorio Airs for Flute & Orchestra

David Gordon (tenor)
Emily Newbold (flute)
Loretta O'Sullivan (cello)
Charlotte Mattax (harpsichord)
Bethlehem Bach Festival Orchestra
Greg Funfgeld

(Newport Classic #NPD 85582; Timing: 66:52)

  "Because duet combinations of voice and instrument are one of the less frequently celebrated pleasures of the Baroque period, a recorded compilation like this offers (and in this case delivers) the promise of a special treat. Bach, Handel, Purcell and A. Scarlatti contributed an exciting variety of soprano and trumpet duets to the genre; Handel included an aria for bass and trumpet among the many treasures of the Messiah. This disc, however, focuses on another pair of voices by featuring five of Bach's arias for tenor and flute.

  "David Gordon holds up a fine Bach tenor voice, clear and free of strain at G and above, secure if a little breathy at the bottom and seemingly untiring in the oboe-accompanied, high strung athletics of "Ach, schlage doch" from Cantata No. 95. Emily Newbold's flute delicately complements the tenor line from an octave or two away, light and lively in "Ermuntre dich" from Cantata No. 180, and lovely in respectful restraint in "Der Ewigkeit" from Cantata No. 198. Tenor, flute and strings float through the melting beauty of "O Seelenparadies" from Cantata No. 172. Cellist Loretta O'Sullivan emerges from the continuo for her own solo lines in the fluteless "Woferne du" from Cantata No. 41.

  "The tenor stands at center stage, closely supported by flute and cello in natural perspective, and backed by Charlotte Mattax's harpsichord and the strings, oboes and lutes of the Bethlehem Bach Festival Orchestra. We take digital audio technology for granted these days, but here special credit must be given to the talented labor of the Newport Classic production team which transforms those I's and 0's into satisfyingly realistic musical images.

  "Interspersed among the arias (for which the texts are provided) are movemen ts from Bach's G Major Trio Sonata BWV 1039 and the entire Suite in B Minor, where the flute steps from obbligato into the solo spotlight."

   - Tom Vernier (Copyright Connell Communications)

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