BACH, J. S.: The Sacred Masterworks - Bach Collegium Japan, Suzuki (10 CDs)

The ongoing cantata cycle of Masaaki Suzuki and his Bach Collegium Japan was initiated in 1995. Described by one reviewer as ‘one of the greatest recording achievements of my lifetime’ the series has now reached its 40th volume, in the meantime receiving an astonishing number of distinctions from magazines and critics all over the world. But parallell to their cantata cycle, Suzuki and his Collegium have also recorded Bach’s larger scaled choral works; recordings which have caught the imagination and attention of audiences and critics alike.
This luxurious box, released in a limited edition, provides a unique opportunity to acquire these as a set: a true collector’s item. Besides the ten CDs with the music, the set consists of three full-sized booklets (Mass, Passions, Oratorios) giving ample information about the works and the performers, as well as the full texts (in Latin/German as well as English) of all six works. Among the distinctions awarded the included recordings at the time of their original releases are the following:

Mass in B minor:
* Shortlisted for the Cannes Classical Award 2008
* Shortlisted for The Gramophone Awards 2008
* Diapason d'or, Diapason

* Choc, Le Monde de la musique
* Disc of the Month, Classics Today
* Empfohlen, klassik.com
* 5 stars, Musica

St John Passion:
* Cannes Classical Award
* Recommended Recording, Gramophone
* 10 de Répertoire
* 5 stars, Goldberg Magazine
* 5 stars, BBC Music Magazine
* 3 stars, Penguin Guide

St Matthew Passion:
* Record of the week, Sunday Times (UK)
* 5 stars, BBC Music Magazine
* 3 stars, Penguin Guide

Christmas Oratorio:
* Recommended Recording, Gramophone
* Reviews Editor's Choice, BBC Music Magazine
* 10 de Répertoire
* 3 stars, Penguin Guide
Easter & Ascension Oratorios:
* 5 stars, Musica