ESSENTIAL RECORDINGS
JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH - Motets

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JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH - Motets - Ensemble Pygmalion - Raphaël Pichon (Director) - 3149020941584 - Released: September 2020 - Harmonia mundi HMM902657

Johann Sebastian Bach: Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden a 4 BWV 230
Vincenzo Bertolusi: Osculetur me osculo oris sui a 7
Johann Sebastian Bach:
- Komm, Jesu, komm a 8 BWV 229
- Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf a 8 BWV 226
- Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir a 8 BWV 228
Jacobus Gallus: Ecce quomodo moritur justus a 7
Johann Sebastian Bach: Jesu, meine Freude a 5 BWV 227
Giovanni Gabrieli: Jubilate Deo a 8
Johann Sebastian Bach: Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied a 8 BWV 225

The first time I heard singing and playing bursting with joy and elation on every note was around 12 years ago when Raphaël Pichon and his Baroque ensemble Pygmalion released this recording of the Bach Missae Breves, which I believe was their first recording. Fast forward to this new Harmonia mundi recording of the Motets by Johann Sebastian Bach and assorted Italian antecedent works of this genre, and they sound just as fresh, animated and exhilarating as ever. I for one can't think of a better way to enjoy these paradigmatic works of polyphonic genius.

Jean-Yves Duperron - September 2020