Daniel Taylor: The Voice Of Bach

Daniel Taylor: Counter Tenor; Theatre of Early Music

1. Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 4 "Christ lag in Todesbanden"
2. Aria from St. Matthew Passion BWV 244 "Erbarme Dich" Taylor, Daniel
3. Aria (Duetto) from Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78 "Wir eilen mit schwachen"
4. Motet for chorus, brass, strings and continuo from Cantata BWV 118b "O Jesu Christ, meins Lebens Licht"
5. Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 12 "Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Zagen"
6. Aria from St. John Passion, BWV 245 "Es ist vollbracht"
7. Aria (Duetto) from Cantata BWV 23 "Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn"
8. Chorale BWV 668 "Vor deinen Thron tret ich hiermit"
9. Aria from Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 "Schließe mein Herze, dies selige Wunder"
10. Sinfonia from Cantata BWV 21 "Ich hatte viel Bekümmernis"
11. Aria from Christmas Oratorio BWV 248 "Bereite dich, Zion"

Juno Award Nominee 2009 - Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral Performance
The Voice Of Bach showcases some of the most famous and best-loved examples of J.S. Bachʼs superlative writing for the human voice and features Daniel Taylor in striking versions of Bachʼs oratorio arias and cantatas including “Es ist vollbracht” from St. Johnʼs Passion, “Erbarme Dich” from the St. Matthewʼs Passion and “Christ lag in Todesbanden” from Cantata BWV 4. Soprano Agnes Zigovics joins Taylor in duets “Wir eilen mit Schwachen“ from ʻJesu, der du meine Seeleʼ BWV 78 and “Du wahrer Gott und Davids Sohn“ from Cantata BWV 23. Accompanying Daniel Taylor in the choruses and symphonic interludes on The Voice Of Bach is the Theatre of Early Music, a Canadian-based period-instrument ensemble and professional choir of which Taylor is founder and artistic director.
The first to arrive was Daniel Taylor – The Voice of Bach with the Choir and Orchestra of the Theatre of Early Music (RCA Red Seal 88697290312). According to the liner notes Daniel Taylor, whose previous recordings include twenty CDs for ATMA and numerous appearances as soloist on such projects as John Eliot Gardiner’s complete Bach cantata cycle for the SDG label, is now an exclusive recording artist for Sony BMG Masterworks. This is certainly a coup for the (still) young Canadian countertenor and one hopes that his new “super label” will take as good care of and as much pride in him as ATMA did during their decade-long relationship. Certainly they have begun on a good foot. Taylor is in immaculate voice (as ever) and is featured as both soloist and director of his Theatre of Early Music in this first recording for the industry giant. Short sinfonias separate arias from some of Bach’s most celebrated works – St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion and Christmas Oratorio – along with duets (featuring soprano Agnes Zsigovics) and chorales from various cantatas. Elsewhere in these pages you will find Larry Beckwith’s comments about one difference between modern instrument and period instrument performance being the treatment of the continuo line. Rest assured that the bottom is well supported in this recording by cello, viol, double bass and organ, but never does it overpower the sweet and soaring vocal lines. In the higher instrumental parts the oboe playing of John Abberger (joined by Marco Cera in the duet from Cantata 23) is particularly worthy of note. Mostly contemplative in nature, these arias and duets showcase the purity of Taylor’s sound. “The voice of Bach” could just well have been called “The Voice of an Angel”. Reviewed by David Olds. Reprinted from The Wholenote Magazine (www.thewholenote.com), Oct. 2008.