JS BACH Leipzig 1726: Cantatas for Alto
Benno Schachtner, Collegium 1704 Václav Luks
Bach's solo alto cantatas have long been the acid-test for countertenors, less so with their female counterparts, and although I retain a huge fondness for Nathalie Stutzmann's velvety approach to Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust BWV 170 with the Hannover Band (11/96) I always return to Andreas Scholl (Classics Reconsidered, Awards/2025) and Iestyn Davies (01/2017) alongside memories of a sublime performance by Michael Chance and Ensemble Sonnerie at the Spitalfields Festival in the late 90s... Interestingly, this new album from Benno Schachtner and Collegium 1704 directed by Václav Luks, eschews the popular pairing of BWV 170 with Widerstehe doch der Sünde BWV 54 in favour of making a trio with Geist und Seele wird verwirret BWV 35 and Gott soll allein mein Herze haben BWV 169, thus homing in on a very particular time and place: Leipzig, 1726, solo alto cantatas with notable organ obligato parts.
Schachtner is a singer I admire, particularly his solos in the St John Passion with Gaechinger Cantorey (April 2020), and the languishing line of his (admittedly rather indulgent) Music for a while (Clear or Cloudy; Accent records, 2017). I also think his clear dart of energy in Presti omai (Haendeliana Hallensis 1, Querstand/2018) marks him as a thrilling dramatic performer. [...]
The riotous colours in the opening organ Concerto of Cantata 35 are delightful, the joyful propulsion of D major creating a fabulous contrast to the tentative Siciliano of the following aria. Pleasingly, the middle aria which Alfred Dürr once described as having a ‘joyfully excited character’ sounds superb from singer and instrumentalists alike, with a rustic, rhythmic bounce on the Leipzig organ. Overall this is a good, solid recording but not one which will gain a place in my collection.
To read the full text of this review please visit Gramophone.co.uk (October 2026)
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