Wedding Cantatas

Bach's 'Wedding Cantatas' were written not for performance at church ceremonies but rather in a domestic setting akin to a modern-day wedding reception. Each is a joyful celebration of a festive day, with a soprano soloist singing the praises of love and concluding with a sort of "toast" to the happiness of the couple. 'Weichet nur' depicts love renewing the world and driving away the shadows and frosts, and reaches its high point in a peasant-dance like aria, "Sich ben in Lieben," hinting at love's more physical appeals. The other wedding cantata, 'O holder Tag,' seems to argue at first that music is inadequate to express love-"Cease your notes, ye flutes"-but finally the "art of sweet music," so long as it is cheerful, is reclaimed as an essential part of the celebration.

Reinhard Goebel and Musica Antiqua Kﾔln bring to this music the lively period instrument performance we have come to expect of this ensemble, and Christine Schﾄfer is a thoughtful, clear-voiced soloist. The final cantata on this disc, 'Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen,' moves away from the topic of marriage to more typical religious praise, and here Schﾄfer is most impressive of all. With more opportunity for coloratura her voice blends ideally with the trumpets added (along with organ and drums) to the ensemble for this festive work.

American Record Guide (7-8/00, p.77) - "An absolute joy on all counts.... this is a must for Bach fans."

Opera News (2/2000) - "...Schﾄfer is equally at home in Baroque and 20th century music....These cantatas are as delectable as the fine food at a fancy wedding....Schﾄfer embraces[the music]with a connoisseur's vigor ....[Goebel and the MAK demonstrate]superiority in this repertoire..."