Early Music Montreal

Sunday, July 03, 2005

Bach Cantatas

One goal of the festival has been to play Bach cantatas. Each year a few have been performed. This year, we were treated to an evening of cantatas accompanied by a large (by Baroque standards) group of instrumentalists, directed by Eric Milnes. The opening sound was large with 3 oboes and 3 trumpets added to a substantial string group. The vocal soloists: Monika Mauch, David Lee, Jan Kobow and Stephan Macleod were excellent. What amazes me is that four people can sound like a whole choir in the Choral sections.

It was a glorious evening though extremely hot. I don't know how the musicians were able to play. But play they did - and the audience wanted more.