Contented Rest: The Timeless Music of J.S.BachABC Classics 476 9419TPT: 78’04”reviewed by Alice Woode
Nothing so indicates a musical family’s casual treatment of its greatest scion than giving, in the days following Johann Sebastian Bach’s death, reams of his compositions in manuscript to the local butcher for wrapping orders of chops and sausages. One can barely imagine what a loss to posterity this was. Thankfully, though, a great deal of Bach’s music survived this indifferences and continues to bring consolation to millions. Listen to the adagio from the Concerto in C minor for violin and oboe. Is there anything more celestially beautiful and uplifting than this music which is exquisitely played by Anna McDonald (violin) and Diana Doherty (oboe) with Sinfonia Australis. And there is about pianist John Champ’s account of a transcription of the Concerto in D minor, BWV974 an interior mood of calmness that would surely soothe even the most stressed of listeners. No less appealing is the much loved Air on a G String which, in the hands of David Stanhope and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, unfolds in a most pleasingly placid way. Also recorded here is that Bach evergreen - Sheep May Safely Graze – also presented, near-flawlessly, by Stanhope and the TSO. It would be well worth having this CD if only for track 6, an arrangement of the Siciliano from the Sonata in E flat for flute and harpsichord: harpist Marshall Maguire does wonders with this little gem that has been transcribed for umpteen instruments. It is given delightfully lulling treatment. Alto Sally-Anne Russell is in excellent form in Erbarme Dich from the St Matthew Passion. No Bach enthusiast should miss this CD; its 17 tracks are a cornucopia of musical delights. Alice Woode copyright 2007
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