Various Artists - Bach: Cantatas Nos. 80 & 11 - Music & Performance - CD

Wow! The fervor of Bach's faith comes through loud and clear in the mighty scale of these cantatas. The chorales, boosted by blazing trumpets and drums, would lift the roof off any church.

"Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott (A Might Fortress is Our God)," based on Luther's hymn, is heard in the traditional arrangement by W. F. Bach (who added trumpets). The opening choral motet, with its fugal treatment of each theme, figuratively constructs a fortress around the believer in Christ.

"Lobet Gott in seinen Reichen (Praise God in His Kingdom)" is actually an oratorio written for Ascension Day. Again, a triumphant mood prevails what is a straightforward account of Christ's ascension into heaven.

The vocal soloists are all quite good, but the real star is the English Chamber Orchestra. Their musicians exhibit perfect ensemble, balance and intonation. Among their soloists are the well-known Kenneth Sillito, violin, and John Wilbraham, trumpet. The vivid recording, of what appear to be modern instruments, was remastered with 24-bit digital. It makes an excellent tribute to the 50th Anniversary of the Bach Guild who commissioned the original recording.