Bach, J S - Cantata BWV18 'Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt'

The singers are wonderful, never over-acting, and managing to sound as though this marvellous work is being minted afresh for us on the spot...The recording is a beauty: warm and full with plenty... — Andrew McGregor, CD Review, 17th October 2005 More…

The sonority of the early BWV 18 is inspired - initially four violas and continuo, with flutes added a decade later. The dark timbre is lightened by authentic high pitch, in a gloriously enveloping... — BBC Music Magazine, January 2009, 4 out of 5 stars More…

The fifth volume of Bach's sacred cantatas performed by the Bach Collegium Japan continues their Weimar survey with five pieces written between c1713 and 1716. It begins with No 18, performed... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

The Purcell Quartet - two violins, cello and continuo, augmented by two violas, recorders, oboe, bassoon, and trumpet - reflect the meagre forces available to Bach. The four solo singers combine... — BBC Music Magazine, Proms 2007, 5 out of 5 stars More…

Patches of engaging music-making here, though giving more insight into 1960s Hamburg than 1720s Leipzig. Choruses are often woolly, soloists vary from off-the-voice big voices to insecure,... — BBC Music Magazine, March 2009, 3 out of 5 stars More…

…expressive fervour and eloquent phrasing with which the excellent singers of the Monteverdi Choir infuse their performance. There are also some splendid solo contributions, notably from tenors... — BBC Music Magazine, June 2009, 4 out of 5 stars More…