| SACD (3 items) |
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| Label Challenge Classics |
UPC 0608917235722 |
Catalogue number CC 72357 |
Release date 01 February 2010 |
"Conductor Sigiswald Kuijken: "The only side that counts is the inside!""
NRC Handelsblad, 03-4-2019La Petite Bande (Belgium) was founded in 1972 by Sigiswald Kuijken at the request of the record company Harmonia Mundi (Germany) in order to record Lully's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme, under the direction of Gustav Leonhardt. The orchestra takes its name and constitution from Lully's own orchestra at the court of Louis XIV. All its members are internationally renowned specialists in the early music field.
Although originally La Petite Bande was not meant to become a permanent orchestra, the success of the recordings was such that they began to give concerts regularly. Having initially concentrated mainly on French music, the orchestra's repertoire has expanded over the years to include music by the Italian masters and that of Bach, Handel, Gluck, Haydn, Mozart and others.
The 18-part CD series 'Cantatas of J.S. Bach' (ACCENT) is complete since February 2014. Sigiswald Kuijken
applies the latest findings in Bach research: no choir, but rather a vocal quartet together with a minimal instrumental scoring. In this way, the fine musical texture of these cantatas can be much better (and more naturally) revealed.
La Petite Bande has recorded instrumental as well as vocal music, including operas and oratorios from the Baroque and Classical periods. La Petite Bande currently makes recordings for Accent, Challenge, Deutsche Harmonia Mundi, Denon, Seon/Virgin and Hyperion.
La Petite Bande has performed in a multitude of international festivals and concert series, in Europe, Japan, Australia, South America and China.
From 1997 to 2018, La Petite Bande was resident in the city of Leuven.
Johann Sebastian Bach was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He enriched established German styles through his skill in counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and the adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include the Brandenburg Concertos, the Goldberg Variations, the Mass in B minor, two Passions, and hundreds of cantatas. His music is revered for its technical command, artistic beauty, and intellectual depth.
Bach's abilities as an organist were highly respected during his lifetime, although he was not widely recognised as a great composer until a revival of interest in and performances of his music in the first half of the 19th century. He is now generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.
Conductor Sigiswald Kuijken: "The only side that counts is the inside!"
NRC Handelsblad, 03-4-2019
An interview with Sigiswald Kuijken about his past recordings. To begin with the St. Matthew Passion..
BBC Music Magazine, 01-2-2014
Performance: 4****
Recording: 4****
["].. Recording balance is ocasionally suspect: the gloriously climactic ripieno chorale in the opening movement is almost inaudible - one distant soprano above double choir and orchestra."
BBC Music Magazine, 01-7-2010
With Kuijken no major drama, but modesty, intimacy and transparency. In his interpretation we hear his awe for the text.
Reformatorisch Dagblad, 24-6-2010
One of the pioneers of Bach solo occupation is Sigiswald Kuijken. Kuijken opts radically for solo occupation. The soloists that interpret arias, also sing the choral parts what leads to one voice per vocal group in the two choirs that Bach provided in the Matthew Passion.
Artsenkrant, 23-6-2010
Mendelssohn was impressed by Bach's masterpiece and decided for a reenactment, but then adapted to the musical fashion of his time: with a romantic symphony orchestra and a large choir. It took almost two centuries, before the Matthew Passion slowly was stripped to the small cast of Kuijken and La Petite Bande.
AVROTROS website, 23-6-2010
Passion of the passions, La Petite Bande. It was inspiringly performed for a wide circle of music lovers.-
De Bond, 15-4-2010
Sigiswald Kuijken is familiar with the St. Matthew Passion. It is a homogeneous group of experienced soloists.The esembles sounds more transparent and more virtuosic.
Tertio, 15-4-2010
The discussion about the ensemble size will always remain, but it is clear that Kuijken is very convincing with this Matthäus and his barefooted version of it.
Klassieke Zaken, 14-4-2010
From the first notes, it becomes clear that a strong sense of musical style is coupled with a weathered, sober interpretation of Bach's masterpiece, and that impression stays with you throughout the three SACDs
Nederlands Dagblad, 08-4-2010
Because everyone was present and concentrated from the first to the last note, it has become a unique recording, that could be very succesful.The intensity and atmosphere can be felt in the recording.
Klassieke Zaken, 07-4-2010
Ad in magazine of Fnac: Contact
Contact, 07-4-2010
Recently released by Challenge Classics SuperAudio on three CDs. A beautiful, balanced, and transparent performance.
HVT, 07-4-2010
Sigiwald Kuijken has been experimenting for ten years with this small ensemble. He has convinced many listeners of the historical accuracy and the high artistic level of La Petite Bande
CV Koers, 07-4-2010
The persuasiveness of this approach (created by thorough research), makes the passion accessible and attractive, both for an interested layman, as the religious musician.
Mania Klassiek, 06-4-2010
With this new recording Sigiswald Kuijken and La Petite Bande show us that convincingly this approach works. Everything seems to fall beautifuly and naturally into place. The choirs and chorals are gaining expressiveness and harmonic richness.
Klara, 31-3-2010
The advantage is the sleek sound and great text comprehension.
Alte Musik, 31-3-2010
The on three SACDs divided work sounds bright, very bright. The transparency is so present that every word and even the placement of every musician or soloist is easy to follow and to place. The minimalist setting of La Petite Bande makes the performance of Bach's work controversial. However, the performance feels comfortable and engages the listener with the lyrics.
Hifi.nl, 30-3-2010
The album Matthaus Passion is not mystical. She is careful.
Elsevier, 18-3-2010
Bach has such tremendous depth, that as a listener your are immediately affected. That is the spiritual quality of the music.
Luister, 18-3-2010
How does it sound? Crystal clear and sonorous.
De Gelderlander, 17-3-2010
For those who cannot go to a concert or who simply cannot get enough, this wonderful album of the Baroque orchestra La Petite Bande is their solution.
50plussers, 03-3-2010
Who is looking for a beautiful solistic Matthäus has the best deal with Kuijken for now, also looked at from an recording technique point of view.
Opus-Klassiek, 22-2-2010
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