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ALBUM INFORMATION

J.S. BACH'S surviving cantatas number in the hundreds while his motets are few and unique among his compositions. They display Bach's unrelenting virtuosity and diverse contrapuntal style. Although many of them are believed to be from the early Leipzig years (1723-1730), some were likely assembled or reworked from extant material. The present recording marks the debut release of the Bach Collegium San Diego and was recorded in one of San Diego’s finest acoustical spaces. The resultant sound, while luxurious and rich, produces beautifully transparent textures allowing Bach’s brilliant counterpoint to be fully realised. The ensemble is comprised of 8-16 singers with organ, archlute and violone. In readings of great excitement, flexibility, subtlety, contemplation and joy the Bach Collegium San Diego proudly presents its inaugural release!

BACH COLLEGIUM SAN DIEGO (BCSD) was founded in 2003 by Ruben Valenzuela to enrich the music community of San Diego by presenting historically informed performances of the music of the Renaissance, Baroque, and in particular the vocal works of J.S. Bach. The BCSD brings together some of the leading early music specialists from the west coast and beyond.

Under the direction of Ruben Valenzuela, the ensemble made its debut in 2003 with landmark performances of Bach’s St. John Passion. Since its debut, the BCSD has presented varied and diverse programs encompassing the music of the Renaissance, early and high Baroque, through German motets of the 19th century. Highlights have included acclaimed performances in both San Diego and Los Angeles of Bach’s B minor Mass, Handel’s Theodora (under the guest direction of Richard Egarr), tours to Mexico City, and performances of Monteverdi’s 1610 Vespers to commemorate the 400th anniversary of its publication. The BCSD is fast becoming one of the premiere early music ensembles based in North America‘s west coast.

RUBEN VALENZUELA is the Founder and Music Director of the Bach Collegium San Diego. His early music credits include collaborations with many of this country’s leading early music specialists including partnering with Richard Egarr (Academy of Ancient Music, UK) on performances of Handel’s Theodora.  Recently, he was a participant in the American Bach Soloist's Academy Festival which included performances of Handel's La Resurrezione and Bach's B minor Mass under the direction
of Jeffrey Thomas.  Other recent engagements include guest conducting Orchestra Nova San Diego in their 2009 performances of Haydn’s Creation.  In 2008, he led members of the Bach Collegium San Diego on their second international tour to the XVI Festival Internacional del Órgano Barroco (Mexico City) including a performance in Mexico City Cathedral.  In November 2009, he returned to this festival with performances in Zamora, Michoacán and Mexico City.  Currently, he is involved in the research of Novo-Hispanic music as part of his doctoral dissertation at Claremont Graduate University.  He is in demand as a conductor, organist, harpsichordist, musicologist and is highly regarded for performances that combine scholarship and an inspired musicianship.

DISK CONTENTS AND INFORMATION

johann sebastian bach (1685 - 1750)
six motets BWV 225-230

1 Komm, Jesu, komm BWV 229 <9:20>
2 Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden BWV 230 <7:05>
3 Fürchte dich nicht, ich bin bei dir BWV 228 <9:14>
4 Jesu, meine Freude BWV 227 <22:31>
5 Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf BWV 226 <9:10>
6 Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied BWV 225 13:29

bach collegium sandiego

Ruben Valenzuela MUSIC DIRECTOR
Soprano I Anne-Marie Dicce*, Jenny Spence*
Soprano II Angelica Eclar, Bianca Hall*
Alto I Martha Jane Weaver Lownie*, Erick Rarick
Alto II Katrin Nogols Genzlinger, Leo Trottier*
Tenor I Vladimir Maric, Anand Sarwate, Krishan Oberoi
Tenor II William Rowley*, Matthew Tresler*
Bass I Jeffrey Genzlinger*, Yannick Lambrecht
Bass II Phil Simon*, Efrain Solis
*soloists
violone Shanon Zusman
Barnabas Racz, Budapest, 1999, after Johann Georg Thir, c. 1709
archlute Daniel Zuluaga
Lars Jönsson, Dalarö 2009, after Magno Tieffenbrucker c.1600
organ Michael Sponseller
Bennett & Guittari, Rehoboth, Mass., 1999, after 17th century models

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Recorded February 22/28, 2010
St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church, San Diego
© Rumley Music and Audio Production
Producers: Ruben Valenzuela, Michael Blinco
Recording Technicians: Michael Blinco, Ted Gabbard, Jordan Hack
Mixing and Editing: Michael Blinco
Mixing and Mastering: Jordan Hack
Front Cover: Judith Foosaner Kiss.
Photographic image provided by Richard Seagraves,
used by permission.
Photographs by Bjorn Bjerede
Performing Edition: Bärenreiter
The Rector and Vestry of St. Andrew’s by-the-Sea Episcopal Church,
Anne-Marie Dicce, Michael Sponseller, Timmstrom Family Foundation,
Daniel Zuluaga
CD Package Design: Jeffrey Genzlinger
CD Graphic Execution: Joseph Martinez (DJGM Design)
bachcollegiumsandiego
P.O. Box 33754
San Diego, CA 92163 USA
info@bachcollegiumsd.org
www.bachcollegiumsd.org
RMAP RMCD1019