J.S. Bach - Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV 54

Dunedin Consort perform J.S. Bach's cantata Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV 54.
I. Aria: Widerstehe doch der Sünde
II. Recitative: Die Art verruchter Sünden
III. Aria: Wer Sünde tut, der ist vom Teufel
Recorded live at Library of Congress, Washington DC on 31 January 2020.
Meg Bragle - mezzo-soprano
John Butt - harpsichord & director
Cecilia Bernardini, Huw Daniel • violins
Jordan Bowron, Emilia Benjamin • viola
Jonathan Manson • cello
Carina Cosgrave • violone

[@paulschrewe9303]

Mir stockt der Atem abgesichts des Genies dieser Meszzosopranistin. Umwerfend expressiv nterpretiert sie den packenden Text.

[@tobiasstudtheol]

The musicians are playing so well that it is not understandably why they choose an overchallenged mezzo with flat depths to sing this who is trying to overcome her own shortcomings by using a gross pressure.

[@markiangooley]

I’m used to hearing this sung by a countertenor but… not complaining. Just fine.

[@philipmulville8218]

Margaret Bragle is such a joy to listen to. Beautiful.

[@filipzielinski4182]

She is Margaret Bragle.

[@philipmulville8218]

@@filipzielinski4182 My mistake. Thank you, Filip.

[@lumpielump3576]

sorry, but this cantata was written for alto and not for mezzo soprano - this doesn´t work at all!

[@russedav5]

Thankfully Butt wisely actually chose to play this on a positive organ instead of a harpsichord as listed. Also thankfully they chose rich mezzo Bragle instead of a countertenor for the solo, having a far superior tone than they do, yet venerable Marga Höffgen still eclipses. Why the vaunted "countertenor revival" is deemed a positive development I have no idea; maybe for worldly Baroque opera, but not for Lutheran sacred music where it grates and clashes. Ironic that in a feminist age it's politically incorrect to say a woman can outclass countertenors but as usual I wish there were recordings of boy trebles for whom Bach intended his manifestly Lutheran works. I often wonder how many performers are even aware of the actual meaning of the flagrantly Lutheran text.

[@thesaucegroup1877]

Shut up feminist, no one cares about your opinion

[@MICKEYISLOWD]

@@thesaucegroup1877 I second that:)

[@chipthequinn]

Awful vocals'