Up to this point in space and time, this SACD is THE MOST inspiring recording of Bach Magnificat and cantata 'Unser Mund sei voll Lachens'. Point out.
The well trained Baroque-style group singing of these masterpieces is truly astonishing; the clarity and harmonics they produce, the amalgamation of the various singers in the group and the soloists, so successfully captured here on this recording is miraculous, as well as the instrumental accompaniment - the woodwinds specially, the solo trumpet and the strings are as live (read that as "distortion-free", if you will); they are akin to, and has the likeness of, hearing them in a (small) concert-hall.
The five soloists has very tunes voices - all responding well to the part they sing and though at times one would assume that 'world-stars' of the Bach-Mozart repertoire might shine brighter here, this would be only a passing thought while hearing these fresh nimble voices - well anchored in their part.
The presentation of these works gets here on this Channel-Classics SACD recording a breath of fresh air and life blown into them.
No need here to consider some of the Decca-group recordings of the Magnificat as they all pale in relation to this one, and no need to go back in time and search for the "Thomannerchoir" that recorded this work for Electrola German EMI at the dawn of the Stereo era.
The hall chosen for the 2009 recording session, the Concert-Hall, Tilburg, The Netherlands, is just fine with the clear acoustic it offers.
No doubt at all that Channel-classic label has come forward as one of the most desired SACD recording sources - and certainly it is because of the well judged "Golden-Ears" culture there at Channel-Classics, the meticulous selection of microphones, cables, small console, amplifiers and most importantly - yes, most importantly - the use of the relatively new and wonderful Digital Converter DSD Super Audio/GRIMM Audio.
This Grimm-audio digital converter used by Channel-Classics has certainly solves the problem of a "digitized" haze and stridency that to a certain degree still comes creeping-in even with the best of the BIS SACDs, the best of the "Gold Musikproduktion Dabringhaus" - to mention but two of the most desired SACD labels...
This Dutch Grimm-Audio converter has much to do with the wonderful natural sound audible on this Channel-Classics recording.
Contrary to other recording companies that shunt away from disclosing the recording gear they use and when and where, Channel Classics plays it out in the open; their website and the Grimm Audio website, gives even more details about each and every recording they ever made...This gains them respect and appreciation.
It looks like (err, SOUNDS-LIKE) we are at the dawn break of a new recordings era - leaving behind the troublesome limitation of the old digital CD sampling.
This Channel-Classics SACD recording of Bach Magnificat is a most desired audio product, one with an enormous potential to compliment the ear.