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The
crowning glory of this disc is the singing of the soprano Barbara
Bonney, and not the collection as a whole. In fact I bought it for
that reason, after listening to her deliciously sung Heute noch,
the most famous aria of the "Coffee Cantata". The OAE is in fine
form under Leonhardt, and allow me to single out Lisa Beznosiuk
for her contributions in the Baroque flute department.
But let's begin with the "Hercules Cantata" (BWV 213). The
Jacobs performance with Andreas Scholl
in the role of Herc is better, unless you can ignore Ralf Popken's
singing on this disc. It's really sad, because no one at this moment
can seriously compare to Scholl - the countertenor market is still
very small. My problem is that because I have heard Scholl on many
records, almost all countertenors sound downright horrible
compared to him. It really is that drastic. Two notable exceptions
are Alfred Deller and James Bowman (getting old though). Anyway,
if you ignore the Hercules role here (which is a little odd since
it is the "title" role), the rest of the singers are very much worth
hearing.
Again,
Barbara Bonney proves the best reason to buy this CD. Her single
10-minute aria for her role (Pleasure) is enough reason for Herc
to throw Mr. Virtue out the door. Just listen to Bonney's opening
on the word "Schla...fe" - this is easily the most beautiful rendition
of the aria of all the versions I have reviewed at the Inkpot (OK,
it's just two others - the ones conducted by Jacobs
and Koopman).
Bach's music society, the Collegium Musicum of Leipzig (founded
1702, by none other than G.P.Telemann), often met for coffee at
the coffee house of Gottfried Zimmermann, also frequently attended
by professional musicians and university students. Ah, some things
in this world don't change at all. The drinking was naturally accompanied
with music. These were divided between small-scale pieces such as
harpsichord concertos and chamber pieces, and large-scale open-air
festive cantatas held outside the house. Sounds kinda more engaging
than piped radio music.
There
is every reason to believe that the amusing "Coffee Cantata"
(BWV 211), composed around 1734, was performed for one of these
occasions. The story is simple: the young Lieschen is -severely-
addicted to coffee. Her frustrated Dad, in a bid to get her to give
up caffeine, promises her a husband if she abandons her three-cups-a-day.
She agrees, and while Dad goes out to find a suitor, she slips a
clause into her marriage contract that no one can marry her unless
she is allowed to have her drink. So she wins, and so does coffee!
The
libretto by Picander is a simple, informal and humourous affair.
Herr Schlendrian (the father) "growling like a honey-bear", storms
into the fore launching into an irritated aria on her obstinate
daughter. wilson-Johnson really sounds annoyed here, totally flabbergasted!
In response, she threatens to "shrivel up in torment /like an over-roasted
piece of goat meat" if she is not allowed her coffee!
An
aria in praise of coffee follows, where Bonney sings with fragrant
tenderness mixed with sugared passion. The frustrated Schlendrian
returns, threatening her with no parties, no "hooped petticoats",
no jewellery, not even the permission to look out the window! Lieschen
gives up all these for coffee, but changes her mind when her father
offers a husband in exchange for her addiction. Overjoyed, she bursts
into song, singing of married bliss in "Heute noch" [8].
Bonney
is the type of singer who makes every word's every syllable count.
(My other favourite is Lynne Dawson). Ranging from sweet to impassioned,
her manner is deliciously coy and often trembling with joy. But
one is always aware that she is perfectly in control, unconsciously
and with pleasing naturalness. As is the common practice for Early
Music performance today, Bonney is not afraid to use vibrato (this
is a 1994 recording) - and she gets it just right.
The
way in which she moulds her words is very appealing - listen to
the many ways she inflects the word "heute" ("today"). In fact,
if you were to ask me, the word "heute" is the single sexiest sound
on this CD...
Not
surprisingly, CHIA HAN-LEON drinks
more coffee than he really should. Glug glug glug glug glug... (22
Jan 2001 - I no longer drink coffee regularly).
To
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284:
14.9.1998 © Chia Han-Leon
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Readers' Comments
From: Michael P. Riggi (mriggi@empire.state.ny.us / Thursday, July 15, 1999 at 23:06:24)
Barbara Bonney's performance this past Tuesday night, July 13, 1999, at Tanglewood's Ozawa Hall truly demonstrated to us Bonney's spellbinding power to interpret, present, and project her deep and gifted understanding of this song form. My wife and I felt fortunate to attend and hear songs by Brahms, Grieg, Wolf plus three terrific encores -- two of Strauss. Our recommendation: a trip of any distance to hear her will be plentifully rewarded.
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