Cantatas for alto solo - Le Banquet Céleste

J.S. Bach

BWV 170 “Vergnügte ruh, beliebte seelenlust” (sauf Rouen)

BWV 169 “Gott soll allein, mein Herze haben”

BWV 82 “Ich habe genug” *

BWV 134a “Die Zeit, die Tag und Jahre macht” *

G.P. Telemann

Concerto pour 2 hautbois, basson et cordes

Damien Guillon, Contre-ténor

Thomas Hobbs, tenor *

11 Instrumentistes

After seeing how successful the first recording was, devoted to cantatas for alto BWV 35 and 170 (released in 2009 in collaboration with Outhere), Damien Guillon pursued his research and interpretation work by dedicating a second opus to the cantatas for alto BWV 82 and BWV 169, surrounded by the Banquet Céleste musicians and by Maude Gratton playing the pipe organ.
These two cantatas are particularly deep ones.

Damien Guillon united these particularly deep cantatas: the BWV 169 cantata Gott soll allein mein Herze haben (God alone must possess my heart) and the famous BWV 82 Ich Habe Genug (I have enough), better-known for its bass version (1727) and re-written for alto by J.S. Bach himself in 1735.

In addition to this programme, the organ player Maude Gratton, one of Damien Guillon’s faithful partners, associated the prelude and fugue BWV 543 to these cantatas, as well as 3 arrangements (highly colourful and richly embellished) of the hymn Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 662, BWV 663 & BWV 664.

Press

“The young singer, who developed his skill without any pretentiousness, is well-versed in collective performances. (…) time simply seemed to hang off Damien Guillon’s ductile lips.”

Maire-Aude Roux | Le Monde | June 2012

Le Monde

“Damien Guillon convinced his audience through his intense tone of voice and accomplished expressiveness, (…) he gives us the distinct impression that he perfectly understands what he is singing. He showed impeccable balance between the voices and instruments – including the organ. Damien Guillon and his Banquet Céleste can without a doubt claim to come close to the best male recordings.”

Bach’s Cantatas CD | Classica **** | June 2012

“Damien Guillon enchanted us with his subtle lines and ornate movements, aiming for a particularly intimate approach to his work. The French countertenor was notably charming in his BWV 35, (…) he conducts an orchestra comprised of extremely mobile soloists demonstrating very precise nuances, as well as Maude Gratton’s biting organ work.”

“We have here a splendid and clever programme: two cantatas for alto solo, including a solo organ but no choir. Ideal for this small ensemble and the magnificent, smart and determined organ player Maude Gratton. On top of that we were graced with the beautifully-played third trio sonata and G-minor Fantasy and Fugue. Damien Guillon broke out of his role as the dream-like, teenage-seeming countertenor. He has a sense for tragic performance, incredible technique and an irresistible voice.”

Jacques Drillon | Le Nouvel Observateur | May 2012