Bejun Mehta & Akademie fur Alte Musik Berlin – Cantata Yet Can I Hear… (2018) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

For the benefit of any Qobuz readers who might be offended that the Bach cantata Ich habe genug is sung here by a counter-tenor in the soprano register (rather than the normal bass), we want to point out two things: first, in the baroque era, music would be rewritten at the drop of a hat to fit the musicians who were available at a given time; and, secondly, this particular transposition was made by the Cantor himself! And what’s more, he actually thoroughly revised two works… The short cantata Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde was for a long time attributed to Bach before credit was finally given to its author Melchior Hoffmann: but it is testament to the work’s tremendous quality that the mix-up was possible: its originality certainly gives the listener pause for thought. For one thing, the aria contains a glockenspiel section! Counter-tenor Bejun Mehta continues his exploration of the world of the baroque cantata with the superb Pianti, sospiri e dimandar mercede by Vivaldi, which brims over with invention and harmonic and melodic surprises. Handel’s cantatas, on the other hand, were more directly written for amateur audiences, and therefore somewhat easier musically: whereas Bach never had to worry about selling his scores, Handel was very much preoccupied by sales! Berlin’s Akademie für alte Musik provides a fervent accompaniment, and without a conductor, as they know this music like the back of their hands.

Tracklist:
01. Mi palpita il cor, HWV 132c: I. Mi palpita il cor-Agitata è l’alma mia-Tormento e gelosia
02. Mi palpita il cor, HWV 132c: II. Ho tanti affanni in petto
03. Mi palpita il cor, HWV 132c: III. Clori di te mi lagno
04. Mi palpita il cor, HWV 132c: IV. Se un di m’adora la mia crudele
05. Ich habe genug, BWV 82: I. Ich habe genug
06. Ich habe genug, BWV 82: II. Ich habe genug
07. Ich habe genug, BWV 82: III. Schlummert ein
08. Ich habe genug, BWV 82: IV. Mein Gott! Wann kömmt das schöne
09. Ich habe genug, BWV 82: V. Ich freue mich auf meinen Tod
10. Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde, BC V 99
11. Siete rose rugiadose, HWV 162
12. Pianti, sospiri e dimandar mercede, RV 676: I. Pianti, sospiri e dimandar mercede
13. Pianti, sospiri e dimandar mercede, RV 676: II. Lusinga è del nocchier
14. Pianti, sospiri e dimandar mercede, RV 676: III. O ingannato nocchiero
15. Pianti, sospiri e dimandar mercede, RV 676: IV. Cor ingrato, dispietato
16. Ach, dass ich Wassers gnug hätte
17. I Will Magnify Thee, HWV 250b: I. I Will Magnify Thee
18. The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69: Oh Cease, Enchanting Siren!
19. The Choice of Hercules, HWV 69: No. 10, Yet, Can I Hear That Dulcet Lay