Scholl's highly distinctive voice, with its clarity, poise and quiet control, makes it an ideal vehicle for reflective Bach. The gentle rocking of 'Schlummert ein' (from BWV 82) would coax the most anxious 'weary eyes [to] sleep'...In the final, joyful anticipation of death, Scholl's lively facility is exhilarating.

Scholl imbibed Bach with his mother’s milk, and here he distils the balm of two of the composer’s most intimate, uplifting cantatas, “Ich habe genug” and “Gott soll allein mein Herze haben”. Each underscores Scholl’s stylistic naturalness and lyrical fluency, showcasing the heavenly sostenutos for which he is celebrated – but the disc’s “fillers” are flimsy.

Scholl's compassionate use of words and melodic sweetness in 'Schlummert ein' is the best recorded work he has produced for years.

Scholl's typically poised delivery eschew[s] the dramatic stridency to which some countertenors are prone.

His relationship with the composer's music remains intense, alert and humble: he has spoken of his own sense of inadequacy in performing works he has known since childhood. Despite being a superstar, the German countertenor's integrity remains intact. His account of Cantata BWV 82, "Ich habe genug" is spellbinding in its expressive simplicity and daringly slow tempi.

A coupling of two of Bach’s best-loved solo cantatas...provides a showcase for Andreas Scholl’s delicately refined artistry and ethereally beautiful voice. But his is a dreamily sensual and almost childlike interpretation, devoid of much in the way of spiritual urgency, and the tension slackens in the longer arias.

With probably the most beautiful countertenor sound in the world, Andreas Scholl always beguiles the ear. But I found this Bach selection almost soporific in places...Best of all is Schlage doch with, of all things, tinkling bells. But this cantata turns out to be by Georg Melchior Hoffmann, not Bach.