Suzuki - a Must for Bach Choral Lovers

I wanted to turn on fellow choir members to the wonderful world of Masaaki Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan. Perhaps many of you have heard these performers; for some years they've been putting out excellent recordings of the complete Bach Cantatas. But in case you haven't....

For decades, the “period” performance movement has been dominated by English conductors and ensembles, such as John Eliot Gardiner who has also released an exceptional set of the cantatas. But Suzuki has moved into the very top ranks as a choral conductor, and also as an organist and harpsichordist. I am second to none in my admiration for Gardiner, and have many of his recordings. (John Tveit is also a Gardiner lover.) But Suzuki is great alternative. Gardiner may be unsurpassed in rhythm and panache, but Suzuki’s cantata and other choral performances of Bach have been rightly praised for their exceptional lyrical beauty and spirituality.

As a prime example, Suzuki has just released a truly beautiful recording of Bach’s B minor mass. It’s available on Amazon, of course, here, but his recordings are imports on the BIS label, and thus rather expensive. But if you join eMusic.com you can download them quite cheaply. A monthly subscription of $14.99 will get you a whole bunch of them (and then you can cancel if you like!)

For Bach lovers, getting to know Suzuki and his Bach Collegium Japan is a must!