J.S. Bach: Cantatas Vol. 18

The latest volume in the acclaimed re-packaging of the complete Bach Cantata series on Challenge Classics, which has now reached Vol. 18! Ton Koopman and his choir and orchestra continue to uphold a standard of tremendous vividness and joy in their immaculate performances of Bach’s most impressive opus. The acclaimed series of complete Bach cantatas with The Amsterdam Baroque conducted by Ton Koopman, originally begun on the now-defunct Erato label, has been revived by Challenge Classics. Born in Zwolle, Holland, in 1944, Ton Koopman decided very early in his musical studies to specialize in the 17th and 18th centuries, using authentic instruments combined with a performing style based on sound scholarship. Koopman’s extensive activities as a soloist and conductor have been recorded on a large number of LPs and CDs for labels including Erato, Teldec, Philips and Deutsche Grammophon. The Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra, founded in 1979 by Ton Koopman, are a group of musicians from all over the world with a particular passion for the Baroque. Their recordings have won numerous awards. Founded in 1992, the Amsterdam Baroque Choir consists mainly of young Dutch professional singers. Begun in 1994, this series was called "the recording project of the nineties" by The Guardian, and was awarded the 1997 Deutsche Schallplattenpreis "Echo Klassik" in Germany. The series will continue to feature the scholarly contributions of Professor Christoph Wolff, one of the world’s leading experts on the music of Bach.