Bach - Sacred Arias
Daniels; English Concert / Bicket
Virgin 519 0372

Release date August 2008

Countertenor David Daniels’ latest recital disc, the first for quite some time (four years), proves to be worth the wait. The recording is made up of sacred arias and cantatas of JS Bach. The opening two works, which have been taken from Bach’s Mass in B minor (Qui sedes and Agnus Dei), set an impressive standard for the remainder of the CD. The English Concert, under the direction of Harry Bicket, provide a beautiful accompaniment where voice and orchestra intertwine perfectly. Each item has seemingly been treated with the utmost care and attention – Daniels is consistently clear in both his phrasing and diction; this is plainly repertoire on which he thrives. There is an enjoyable balance of works consisting of those with intimate chamber accompaniment (for example Es ist Vollbracht from the St John Passion) and those with a larger, fuller sound (take for instance the beginning of Erbarm’es Gott!...Können Tränen from the St Matthew Passion). This provides an ideal way for Daniels to show the full range of his voice. The second half of the disc has been given up to arias from three different cantatas – Ich habe genug (BWV82a), Vergnügte Ruh', beliebte Seelenlust (BWV170) and Was mir behagt, ist nur die muntre Jagd! (BWV208). Vergnügte Ruh' seems especially uplifting after the serenity of Ich habe genug. Gramophone’s earlier comment that 'Daniels' heart-stopping countertenor voice is one of the marvels of our age and hardly needs much further description…' seems equally appropriate here.

Reviewed by Ruth Squire