Sir John Eliot Gardiner's Bach Cantata Pilgrimage continues with four works for the Feast of the Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary, BWVs 82, 83, 125 and, oddly, the fragment BWV 200, Bekennen will ich seinen Namen, a single countertenor aria and thus, by definition, not a cantata. Gardiner seems to be on good form as does his orchestra. Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of his countertenor soloist, Robin Tyson, whose prominent role in BWVs 83, 125 and 200 is not up to the standard expected from a Gardiner production. In comparison with Paul Agnew and Peter Harvey, his technique and style pale into insignificance: intonation and breathing problems abound from the opening and his top register is tight and uncontrolled. These are not problems concerned with suitability (or lack of it) since they are constant throughout the recording, as may be seen from, for example, the alto aria Ich will auch mit gebrochen Augen in BWV 125. Here his singing is both neurotic and quirky, and at times he has to push so hard to gain some semblance of pitch that one almost retches in sympathy with the poor man. Thus, although there is little to recommend this disc to countertenor apparatchiks, the pleasure is hearing a taste of Paul Agnew (taste being the operative word since, on this recording, the tenor is largely inconspicuous), where superb control, charm, poise and balance combine with the orchestra to provide a musical kaleidoscope of colour and drama, especially in the duet Ein unbegreiflich Licht erfüllt…from cantata 125. Here he combines his talents with those of Peter Harvey in a display of musical ability, which, were it a duel, would surely be a fight to the death. Harvey wins: his performance throughout the recording is elegant and appropriate, especially in the bass cantata Ich habe genug (BWV 82), where the true affekt of the music is apparent in nearly every gesture and nuance, and ably supported by an orchestra that responds in kind with a warmth that is distinctly lacking in the alto cantata.

Overall, the disc is a bit of a mixed bag: it is well worth our attention, if only for the superb bass and tenor solos. However, the cult of the countertenor will find little reward from the performances here, and that is a shame!

John Woodford