Composer:
Johann Sebastian Bach
Performer:
Bernada Fink
 Bernarda
Fink had a good 2008, with her Schubert recital disc garnering
widespread praise. Her new recording for 2009, of Bach Solo Cantatas,
deserves just as many accolades for both her own and the Freiburger
Barockorchester's performances.
These cantatas were written in 1726 and marked a new stylistic period
for Bach's works in the genre. Between May 1723 and the Christmas of
1725/6, he had composed, rehearsed and performed a new cantata every
week. It's hard to imagine how such a workload didn't send him over the
edge. He was surely a man in need of a sabbatical by Christmas 1725. He
did indeed give himself a break of around six months, and the works
which appeared from June onwards are awash with creative renewal. Gone
are the large-scale choral movements, replaced by solo arias. The
instrumental accompaniment and the voice are in greater dialogue with
each other, the organ shines as a soloist rather than being consigned to
simple accompaniment, textures are intricately crafted, and some
sections are recycled from secular works. Bach's Leipzig congregation
must have had quite a surprise that first June Sunday.
Fink, with her versatile mezzo tone, meets the cantatas' challenges
at all levels. The diction in clear, but her performance really stands
out for it's control: vocal control, but also emotional. The feelings
expressed are often passionate in the extreme, but her dramatically
pared-down approach shuns any melodramatic temptations whilst still
digging deep into the heart of the text. Meanwhile, Petra Mullejans and
the Freiburger Barockorchester provide perfectly-judged accompaniments,
and instrumental sections that hum with vitality. They capture the
music's often semi-secular, pastoral mood, whilst retaining just the
right amount of religious propriety. Beautiful.
BBC
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