Cantus Christi in Recordings, II

Another recording I recently discovered that contains selections also found in the Cantus Christi is a recording of Genevan Psalms sung in Japanese (of all things), performed by Masaaki Suzuki and the Bach Collegium Japan. I just got this in the mail yesterday and my wife and I listened to this as we were drifting off to sleep last night.

It's a really great CD. It contains versions of Genevan Psalms harmonized in four parts by Goudimel, in viruostic solo settings for recorder by van Eyck, in variation settings for organ by Sweelinck, and lute settings by Vallet. Many of the psalms are sung in unison accompanied from the organ by Masaaki Suzuki, the founder and conductor of the BCJ. (Suzuki is a member of the Tokyo-oncho Reformed Church.) I presume that Suzuki provides many of these wonderful arrangements himself.

For those unfamiliar with the BCJ they are a group of the highest merit and performance quality. I have a couple of their recordings of Baroque sacred music, one of which is their recording of Messiah. Their Messiah recording has received high marks and I agree that it is wonderfully performed. The BCJ is known for its recordings of Bach's Church Cantatas on the BIS label. These are also fantastic.

High-points on the Psalm disc are the elaborate and moving exploration of Psalm 36, the rustic and energetic rendition of Psalm 47, complete with hand clapping, and the awesome variation on Psalm 118 for solo recorder. This disc is well worth the money for anyone familiar with the Genevan Psalms. The fact that the pieces are sung in Japanese should not scare anyone off. Other recordings I've mentioned are sung in French,...so?

Of the fifteen Psalms on the disc ten are also found in the Cantus Christi. Cantus singers are encouraged get copies of it.

Enjoy!