Bach

Benjamin Appl (baritone) & Concerto Köln

German baritone Benjamin Appl is Gramophone ‘Young Artist of the Year 2016’ and one of the stars of the European ‘Echo Rising Stars’ concert series.

Appl is a former chorister of the famous German choir Regensburger Domspatzen, and now one of the most interesting artists of the new generation, with a great voice, charming personality and great stage presence.

The new album presents wonderful music by Johann Sebastian Bach from famous as well as less known cantatas but also from the St Matthew Passion.

It was recorded with the renowned Ensemble Concerto Köln, one of the leading ensembles for historically-informed performance practice.

Bach, J S:
 Bist du bei mir, BWV508
 Cantata BWV99 'Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan': Er ist mein Licht, mein Leben
 Cantata BWV147 'Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben': Jesu, bleibet meine Freude
 Cantata BWV159 'Sehet, wir gehn hinauf gen Jerusalem': Aria: Es ist vollbracht
 Cantata BWV194 'Höchsterwünschtes Freudenfest': Was des Höchsten Glanz erfüllt
 Cantata BWV214 'Tönet, ihr Pauken': Kron und Preis gekrönter Damen

"What’s most surprising is the humour. Appl is, by instinct, a musical storyteller and he brings a raconteur’s enjoyment to the musical battle between Apollo and Pan…Concerto Köln provide a skilled supporting cast for Appl’s musical drama…But vocally there are issues…Appl’s natural, unaffected delivery and bright, tenorial tone may yet make for a great artist but he’s still far from the finished product."
Gramophone Magazine - November 2018