Soloists, Ottawa Bach Choir, Lisette Canton, conductor (OBC)
January 24, 2009
Two of J.S. Bach’s best known choral cantatas make up this collection, together with the eponymous motet Jesu, meine Freude. Four excellent soloists — soprano Agnes Zsigovics, counter-tenor Daniel Taylor, tenor Benjamin Butterfield and bass Daniel Lichti — make substantial and individual contributions to the enterprise, with Butterfield’s ever-beautiful singing a particular pleasure.

A fine little baroque orchestra was assembled for the project and provides an accompaniment that is historically informed and eminently musical.

Best of all, though, is the choral singing. Its balance of line, precision of ensemble and high quality of intonation combined with conductor Canton’s fine sense of Bach’s idiom make this CD a treasure.

© The Ottawa Citizen 2009