Album: Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas 170 and 53 / Domenico Scarlatti: Salve Regina

Introduction
"Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas 170 and 53/ Domenico Scarlatti: Salve Regina" is a magnificent album released in 2000, featuring the remarkable contralto Maureen Forrester. The album presents a collection of sacred baroque music gems: two extensive cantatas by Johann Sebastian Bach and a Salve Regina setting by Domenico Scarlatti. Maureen Forrester, accompanied by various orchestras and conductors, brings to life these masterpieces through her extremely meaningful voice and interpretation.

Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas 170 and 53
Johann Sebastian Bach, one of the most influential authors in history, composed more than 200 cantatas in his life time, most of them for the Lutheran Church. Cantatas are singing compositions with a critical accompaniment, generally made up for specific events, especially for those in the liturgical calendar.

Cantata BWV 170, "Vergnügte Ruh, beliebte Seelenlust", was made up in 1726 for the 6th Sunday after Trinity. It is scored for solo alto, oboe, strings, and continuo. The work begins with a sinfonia, followed by a series of three recitatives and arias. The text is based on a Christian hymn that emphasizes the search for inner peace and purity. Forrester's deep, rich, and velvety voice completely embodies the wanted peace and satisfaction, making the cantata an entirely unforgettable experience for the listener.

Cantata BWV 53, "Schlage doch, gewünschte Stunde", is a lesser-known work attributed to Bach, although its authorship remains disputed. It is a discussion in between Jesus and the faithful soul (the alto singer). The cantata features significant recitatives and ravishing arias scored for solo alto, strings, and continuo. Maureen Forrester's command of both singing strategy and emotional depth enables her to convey the soul's enthusiastic desire for the coming of the Last Judgment, making the piece highly moving and effective.

Domenico Scarlatti: Salve Regina
Domenico Scarlatti, primarily understood for his prodigious output of keyboard sonatas, was also a talented composer of spiritual music, consisting of the "Salve Regina". This spectacular piece is a setting of the Marian hymn Salve Regina (Hail, Holy Queen), which has actually been a popular hymn in Christian liturgy for several centuries.

The work is divided into 4 sections, each concentrating on a various element of the hymn's text and exploring a vast array of feelings, from extensive sorrow to overjoyed jubilation. The structure is characterized by Scarlatti's normal expressive and colorful writing, with different textures and consistencies highlighting the text's affective content. Maureen Forrester's awesome performance of the Salve Regina catches every emotion, from heartbreaking supplication to the cheerful contemplation of salvation.

Conclusion
"Johann Sebastian Bach: Cantatas 170 and 53/ Domenico Scarlatti: Salve Regina" showcases the extraordinary skill and artistry of Maureen Forrester, among the greatest contraltos of the 20th century. The album presents a remarkable collection of music that not only exposes the emotional depth of the baroque period but likewise underlines the transformative power of the human voice as an instrument of transcendence.

Forrester's captivating and psychological analyses of these masterworks provide a special listening experience, transferring the audience to another location and time. Her extensive musicianship and commitment to the text make this album a vital acquisition for classical music enthusiasts and an outstanding introduction to the charm of baroque spiritual music, especially for those who are new to the category.