Cantates pour alto BWV 35, 53 & 82 (Jacobs) (2003)

"René Jacobs, an excellent alto, is featured here with Ensemble 415. The recording contains three cantatas: BWV 35, BWV 53 (which is spurious, and was probably written by G. M. Hoffman), and BWV 82, one of Bach's best-known cantatas, which is usually sung by a bass or baritone. In the liner notes, it is pointed out that a version of this cantata exists for alto, though it is scored for flute instead of oboe. Jacobs gets the best of both worlds, singing this fine work in his range and keeping the excellent oboe. This disc is a paradox: with some excellent singing and music, it features very harsh sound, with little warmth or depth. The unflattering acoustics of the church where these works were recorded detracts somewhat from the two orchestral movements in BWV 35." (musicweb-international.com)