Brand new Bach! What more does anyone need to hear? Discovered in 2005, the strophic aria Alles mit Gott und nicht ohn' ihn (All things with God and nothing without Him) for soprano with a continuo of lute, organ, and bass, plus a ritornello of two violins and viola, is gloriously ripe Bach from 1713 written for the 52nd birthday of his patron, Duke Wilhelm Ernst von Saxe-Weimar. Happily married with a growing family and an employer who knew his worth, Bach was then at the peak of his career and his life and the aria's air of relaxed happiness is contagious. All by itself, Alles mit Gott would be enough to justify the existence of this three-disc set, especially in this exquisite performance by soprano
Lisa Larsson, but when combined with the rest of the music on volume 20 of
Ton Koopman's complete cycle of Bach's cantatas with the
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir, its redemption is guaranteed. With 10 full-fledged cantatas including the transcendent Ich steh mit einem Fuss im Grabe (I stand with one foot in the grave) with its gorgeous opening oboe Sinfonia, this three-disc set is filled with performances as fine and honest and true as Alles mit Gott. Those who listen only to the aria will be rewarded. Those who listen to all three discs will be blessed. Antonie Marchant's sound is translucent.