French magazine Diapason awards the album a prestigious Diapason d'Or and lauds the performance "interpreted in a magnificent way by the Belgian team surrounding Bart Van Reyn."
According to Crescendo Magazine the album sets a new discographical standard and Bart Van Reyn is a flamboyant conductor who gives C.P.E. Bach's work a certain flair that is free of any mannerist excess. "A wonderful interplay of volume and contrast."
The Belgian newspaper La Libre also hands out the requisite stars in its review: "At the head of the baroque orchestra Il Gardellino and the Vlaams Radiokoor, Bart Van Reyn brings a balanced version in which dynamics and power go hand in hand".
Flemish conductors clearly have something with C.P.E. Bach's Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu, according to Klara. Theradio station notes that this new version by the Vlaams Radiokoor does not pale in comparison with other recordings. On the contrary: through his more dramatic approach and choice of slower tempi, Van Reyn shows himself to be a powerful and colourful storyteller, the editors stress in the online review. Cultuurpakt speaks of a fascinating CD, narrative and compelling from beginning to end. Not to be missed! writes Classical Explorer.
"It has been a long time since Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu by C.P.E. Bach has had a good recording," admits conductor Bart Van Reyn in an interview with the blog site Planet Hugill, "Now it is up to this generation to delve into the work and give it 'a fresh coat of paint'. It is rarely performed, the average music lover has probably only just heard of it and the work deserves to be brought to the attention of a wider audience."
According to the German online magazine Klassik, the Vlaams Radiokoor performs Bach's masterpiece with a fresh and rich interpretation. The choir sings smoothly and powerfully, and is always both tasteful in tone and stable in intonation and diction. In the final choruses of both movements, the ensemble unfolds a technically robust virtuosity that makes the choir stand out as a particularly strong instrument.
Listen to the recommendation in the BR Klassik podcast or read the BR Klassik review: Bart van Reyn presents a work full of drama, verve and opulence in a successful new recording.
Discover Die Auferstehung und Himmelfahrt Jesu now on Spotify or buy your copy on Passacaille Records.
