Bach: Easter Oratorio, Magnificat – Nicholas McGegan

San Francisco-based Cantata Collective continues its exploration of J.S. Bach’s major choral masterworks with a third in the ongoing series, pairing the composer’s Easter Oratorio and Magnificat. Released in time for Holy Week, both works are lavishly scored and feature some of Bach’s most festive and popular vocal writing. With celebrated baroque music specialist Nicholas McGegan on the podium, and a roll call of today’s finest early music vocal soloists, this release is poised to build on the auspicious previous releases – a “bold and beautifully constructed” St. John Passion (BBC Radio 3 Record Review), and “an exemplary performance” of the Mass in B Minor (American Record Guide).