Dunedin Consort - J.S. Bach: Magnificat - The Scotsman

This is yet another astonishing triumph by Professor John Butt and his Dunedin Consort. Scholarly originality is the clincher: a reconstruction of Bach's first Christmas Vespers in Leipzig with the wonderful Magnificat as central focus Butt uses the earlier E flat version of the Magnificat, one that possesses instinctively richer solutions than the better-known D major version. Its contextual placement within a liturgical sequence encompassing the exuberant Christmas cantata Christen, ätzet diesen Tag, a Gabrieli motet, relevant Bach Chorale Preludes and congregational chorales (courtesy of an augmented congregational choir) is revelatory. The musicianship is exquisite; the emotional impact is immediate. This is world class, and it's made in Scotland.