Bach: Lutheran Mass Vol.2 / Bach Collegium Japan

Many of the movements in Bach’s Lutheran Masses are adaptation from cantatas of the past, but the individual pieces remain wonderful works even after their reincarnation as masses. In the F major Mass, BWV 233, the soprano and oboe’s “Qui tollis peccata mundi” is good. The following alto “Quonium tu solus” is also attractive. In the Mass in A major, BWV 234, two flauto traverso are used, and their soft tone fits the overall tune. The highlight of this Mass is the “Domine Deus” by the bass. The next song, “Qui tollis peccata mundi,” sung by the soprano, is also the highlight, with the two traversos clashing and intertwining in a strained tone, and the soprano singing earnestly. The unison of the violin and viola (basset) instead of the basso continuo is also a nice touch. The following “Quoniam tu solus” is an arrangement of an aria from Cantata No. 79 “Gott, Der Herr, Ist Sonn Und Schild” but the obbligato instrument is changed from the oboe of the original to the unison of violin and viola. Finally, I would like to mention the performance on this CD. This may be the best performance that can be heard today. As a side note, the CD includes an extra work by Marco Giuseppe Perand, an Italian composer active in Germany at the time. #baroque #bach #mass #片山俊幸