Bach: Christmas Oratorio [IMPORT]

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This energetic account of Bach’s series of six Christmastide cantatas is nearly the equal of recordings by such illustrious conductors as Ton Koopman and John Eliot Gardiner that cost twice as much. The Frankfurt Vocal Ensemble doesn’t have the absolutely pristine blend of Gardiner’s Monteverdi Choir (an awfully high standard of comparison), but their clean execution, sense of line, energy, and (yes) blend are excellent. The instrumentalists of Concerto Köln need yield to none of their colleagues–in fact, the trumpets sound so brilliant one almost suspects them of being modern-style rather than Baroque instruments. Monica Groop’s contralto sounds more accustomed to opera than to Bach with period instruments, but her vibrato isn’t oppressive and she sings sensitively. The other three soloists are as good as any who have ever recorded this work–especially the pure-voiced, vibrant soprano Ruth Ziesak and tenor Christoph Prégardien, who manages the difficult tenor arias with ease and whose narration is dramatic without melodrama. In the end, if the extra money isn’t a big issue, you may want the Gardiner, Masaaki Suzuki, or Koopman recordings, but this is nearly their equal–and by far the best version at budget price. — Matthew Westphal