The Friday Phonograph

A Brief Respite from the Stormy Winter

by Anne French

What could be better than an aria from Bach's Easter Oratorio to remind us that winter cannot last forever? And when countertenor Andreas Scholl sings a joyous duet with a baroque oboe d'amore, the results are truly spectacular. Belgian oboist Marcel Ponseele, one of the greatest oboists of our time, provides a brilliantly played obligato for the incomparable Scholl, performed here with the Collegium Vocale of Gent, Germany. I have learned that in addition to being a master of the baroque oboe, Ponseele also builds oboes based on 18th Century models. My Friday favorite for this week is Saget, Saget, Mir Geschwinde, from the Easter Oratorio of J.S. Bach, conducted by Philippe Herrweghe. May it bring a bit of warmth to your weekend.