This soothing compilation of serenely beautiful music by Bach, Corelli, and Handel is the sonic equivalent of a weekend at a spa. Whether you listen to this album as comfortable background music, for unwinding and meditation, or even to lull you into peaceful calm, this selection from ten ABS recordings is likely to become an instant favorite. Featured solo performers include cellists Elisabeth Le Guin & Tanya Tomkins; flutist Sandra Miller; harpsichordists John Butt & Michael Sponseller; oboist John Abberger; recorder players Aldo Abreu, Dan Laurin, Judith Linsenberg, and Hanneke van Proosdij; viola da gambists Mary Springfels & Brent Wissick; violinists Elizabeth Blumenstock, Katherine Kyme, & Elizabeth Wallfisch; violists Anthony Martin & Elly Winer; violone player Steven Lehning; and vocalists Ian Howell, Judith Malafronte, and William Sharp. AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2020).
John Abberger, Aldo Abreu, Elizabeth Blumenstock, John Butt, Judith Linsenberg, Anthony Martin, Sandra Miller, Cynthia Roberts, Jörg-Michael Schwarz, John Thiessen, Elly Winer; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007). 2 CDs.
CD 1: Brandenburgs 1-3 • CD 2: Brandenburgs 4-6
Julianne Baird, Judith Nelson, Nancy Zylstra, Jennifer Lane, Zoila Muñoz, Steven Rickards, Patrick Romano, William Sharp, James Weaver; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7194-2 Y6x2 (1992); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007). 2 CDs.
CD 1: Kyrie & Gloria (Missa) • CD 2: Credo, Sanctus, Benedictus, Agnus Dei
Singet dem Herrn ein neues Lied BWV 225; Der Geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf BWV 226; Fürchte dich nicht BWV 228; Komm, Jesu, komm BWV 229; Ich lasse dich nicht BWV Anh. 159; Jauchzet dem Herrn, alle Welt BWV Anh. 160 (Telemann/Bach); Der Gerechte kommt um (Kuhnau/Bach); American Bach Choir; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2017).
The virtuosi of the ABS Orchestra are featured in this long-awaited recording of Bach’s masterful Overtures (Orchestral Suites). ABS Music Director Jeffrey Thomas was thrilled to announce the public release of this new recording project: “We’ve dreamt of recording the superb orchestral suites of Bach for many years. These suites, so deeply inspired by the spirit of dance, have enthralled listeners for centuries.” Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2018).
Jeffrey Thomas, Evangelist; William Sharp, Christus. Catherine Bott, Tamara Matthews, Judith Malafronte, Dana Marsh, Benjamin Butterfield, David Munderloh, James Weaver, Nathaniel Watson; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on Koch International Classics; rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2012). 3 CDs.
CD 1: Part I (Nos. 1-29) • CD 2: Part IIa (Nos. 30-52) • CD 3: Part IIb (Nos. 53-68)
Jeffrey Thomas, Evangelist; William Sharp, Christus. Catherine Bott, Tamara Matthews, Judith Malafronte, Dana Marsh, Benjamin Butterfield, David Munderloh, James Weaver, Nathaniel Watson; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on Koch International Classics; rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2012).
Concerto in A Minor for Four Harpsichords, BWV 1065; John Butt, Phebe Craig, Jonathan Dimmock, Jeffrey Thomas; Tilge, Höchster, meine Sünden, Psalm 51 (Pergolesi: Stabat Mater); Benita Valente, Judith Malafronte; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7237-2H1 (1995); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Concerto in G Minor ("Christmas Concerto"), opus 6, no. 8 "Fatto per la notte di Natale"; Concerto in C Minor, opus 6, no. 3; Concerto in F Major, opus 6, no. 12; Concerto in D Major, opus 6, no. 4; Concerto in D Major, opus 6, no. 7; Concerto in D Major, opus 6, no. 1. Dan Laurin and Hanneke van Proosdij, recorders; Elizabeth Wallfisch and Katherine Kyme, violins; Tanya Tomkins, violoncello; Michael Sponseller, harpsichord; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on ABS (2004); rereleased on DELOS INTERNATIONAL DE-3358 (2005); REMASTERED and rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2019).
This audiophile recording was made in the state-of-the-art Robert and Margrit Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts on the campus of UC Davis. Arianna Zukerman, Daniel Taylor, Steven Tharp, William Sharp; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on Delos International DE-3360 (2005); REMASTERED and rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2018). 2 CDs
CD 1: Part I & Part II (beginning) • CD 2: Part II (conclusion) & Part III
Missa in Angustiis ("Lord Nelson Mass"); Missa brevis Sancti Joannis de Deo ("Little Organ-Mass"); Tamara Matthews, Zoila Muñoz, Benjamin Butterfield, David Arnold, Jonathan Dimmock, American Bach Soloists Choir, Pacific Mozart Ensemble; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7407-2H1 (1997); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Musicalische Exequien SWV 279-281; Kleine Geistliche Konzerte SWV 285, 283, 309, 310; Symphoniae Sacrae SWV 360, 356; Christine Brandes, Judith Nelson, Emily Van Evera, Judith Malafronte, Daniel Taylor, Jeffrey Thomas, Benjamin Butterfield, Nils Brown, James Weaver, Kurt-Owen Richards, American Bach Soloists Choir, San Francisco Bach Choir Concentus; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7432-2H1 (1998); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Widerstehe doch der Sünde, BWV 54; Ich habe genug, BWV 82; Ich armer Mensch, ich Sündenknecht, BWV 55; Jauchzet Gott in allen Landen, BWV 51; Julianne Baird, Drew Minter, William Sharp; Jeffrey Thomas, music director. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7138-2H1 (1992); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Laß, Fürstin, laß noch einen Strahl (Trauerode), BWV 198; Ich steh mit einem Fuß im Grabe, BWV 156; Liebster Gott, wann werd ich sterben, BWV 8; Julianne Baird, Judith Nelson, Judith Malafronte, Steven Rickards, William Sharp, James Weaver; Jeffrey Thomas, music director. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7163-2H1 (1992); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Gottes Zeit ist die allerbeste Zeit, BWV 106; Tritt auf die Glaubensbahn, BWV 152; Komm, du süße Todesstunde, BWV 161; Christine Brandes, Drew Minter, William Sharp; Jeffrey Thomas, music director. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7164-2H1 (1993); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Christ lag in Todes Banden, BWV 4; Aus der Tiefen rufe ich, Herr, zu dir, BWV 131; Himmelskönig, sei willkommen, BWV 182; Julianne Baird, Christine Brandes, Judith Nelson, Judith Malafronte, Drew Minter, Daniel Taylor, Benjamin Butterfield, Kurt-Owen Richards, James Weaver; Jeffrey Thomas, music director. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7235-2H1 (1995); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Weinen, Klagen, Sorgen, Sagen, BWV 12; Gleichwie der Regen und Schnee vom Himmel fällt, BWV 18; Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland, BWV 61; Julianne Baird, Drew Minter, Benjamin Butterfield, James Weaver; Jeffrey Thomas, music director. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7332-2H1 (1995); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme, BWV 140; Jesu, der du meine Seele, BWV 78; Ein feste Burg, BWV 80; Catherine Bott, Daniel Taylor, William Sharp; Jeffrey Thomas, music director. Original release on Koch International Classics 3-7234-2H1 (1996); rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2007).
Gluck: Arias from Demofoonte and Orfeo ed Euridice; Handel: Arias from Agrippina, Tolomeo, and Rodelnda, regina de' Longobardi; Vivaldi: Stabat Mater and Sinfonias from Il Farnace and La Verità in Cimento; Aryeh Nussbaum Cohen; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2019).
Bach: Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust! (BWV 170); Scarlatti: Salve Regina; Handel: Arias from Saul, Giulio Cesare, Orlando, Rinaldo, and Serse; Ian Howell with Corey Jamason and Debra Nagy; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2009).
Concerto for Harpsichord, Flute, Violin, Strings, and Basso Continuo in A Minor, BWV 1044; Concerto for Harpsichord, Recorders, Strings, and Basso Continuo in F Major, BWV 1057; Concerto for Harpsichord, Strings, and Basso continuo in D Minor, BWV 1052; Concerto in D Major, BWV 972, after Antonio Vivaldi's Concerto for Violin, op. 3, no. 9. Michael Sponseller, harpsichord; Hanneke van Proosdij, recorder; Judith Linsenberg, recorder; Sandra Miller, flute; Elizabeth Blumenstock, violin; Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. Original release on American Bach Soloists (2004); rereleased on DELOS INTERNATIONAL DE-3359 (2005); REMASTERED and rereleased on AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2020).
Works by Britten, Darke, Gibbs, Kodály, Lauridsen, Ord, Pearsall, Rutter, Vaughan Williams, Walton, Willcocks. Jeffrey Thomas, conductor. AMERICAN BACH SOLOISTS (2002).