The Bach Players explore the form of the French overture in two cantatas by J.?S.?Bach: the thrilling Advent cantata 'Nun komm der Heiden Heiland' (BWV 61), from his Weimar years, and 'In allen meinen Taten' (BWV 97) from his later years in Leipzig. They play a dance suite by Philipp Heinrich Erlebach, opening with another French overture. To complete the disc, Heinrich Isaac's beautiful 'Innsbruck ich muß dich lassen', which provides the choral melody for cantata 97, is sung a cappella, and is played in two instrumental settings. Performers are: Rachel Elliott (soprano), Sally Bruce-Payne (alto), Nicholas Mulroy (tenor), Peter Harvey (bass), Jonathan Gunthorpe (bass), Nicolette Moonen (violin), Sophie Barber (violin), Rachel Isserlis (viola), Rachel Stott (viola), Alison McGillivray (cello), Elizabeth Bradley (double bass), James Eastaway (oboe), Catherine Latham (oboe), Alastair Mitchell (bassoon), Philip Turbett (bassoon), Silas Standage (organ / harpsichord), William Carter (guitar). '... this quite magical disc. Intimate, infused with joy and overflowing with genuine affection, this is music-making which combines enthusiasm and craftsmanship to create something both rare and precious. ... these are performances which stand out from the crowd for their freshness, vitality and sense of total commitment to the music.' (Marc Rochester, International Record Review, November 2010.)
