Dunedin Consort - J.S. Bach: Magnificat - Iowa Public Radio

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This is the single best place to start with if you want to hear a "liturgical reconstruction" of a Bach church service - his first Christmas in Leipzig, to be exact, with his choral and organ music interspersed with other things, including a motet by Giovanni Gabrielli. It is also the joyous-Bach-Christmas CD of the year. And the performances are so special that even if you already own many recordings of the Magnificat or the Cantata you should hear it. John Butt uses the first version of the Magnificat, in which Bach interpolated extra Christmas music to the familiar music, and also used more colorful instruments. The disc also includes some of the most glorious organ playing John Butt has so far committed to disc, and as usual, Linn's recorded sound glows with warmth and clarity.