J.S. Bach: Magnificat (1997)

This 1990 recording offered new and unusual perspectives on Bach's very familiar Magnificat. Most amateur choristers who have sung the Magnificat think of it as a loud shout of joy, partly because they've had to bellow their way through the challenging vocal lines. But French conductor Philippe Herreweghe and his historical-instrument Collegium Vocale tone down the work's enthusiasm, delivering the choral movements with transparency, a bit of a dance-like quality, and perhaps Gallic elegance in place of the more usual big ... Read More

This 1990 recording offered new and unusual perspectives on Bach's very familiar Magnificat. Most amateur choristers who have sung the Magnificat think of it as a loud shout of joy, partly because they've had to bellow their way through the challenging vocal lines. But French conductor Philippe Herreweghe and his historical-instrument Collegium Vocale tone down the work's enthusiasm, delivering the choral movements with transparency, a bit of a dance-like quality, and perhaps Gallic elegance in place of the more usual big sound. The difference is apparent right from the start, but don't confine your sampling to that -- one result of Herreweghe's approach is an appealing balance between the choral and solo vocal sections. With solo or duo music making up more than half of the work's 12 sections, that makes a lot of sense, and the soloists here are for the most part absolutely ravishing. Hear the hushed, wondrous "Quia respexit humilitatem" (track 3) of soprano Barbara Schlick, or the lush countertenor... Read Less