Nederlands Kamerkoor, Peter Dijkstra - J.S. Bach: Motets BWV 225-230 (2008)

That Bach's motets are not his most popular sacred choral works is easily explainable. When asked to choose between the Passions' spiritual drama, the Mass' magnificent architecture, the cantatas' infinite diversity, or the motets' inward piety, most listeners will more likely choose any of the former before the latter. Still, for concentrated intensity, it is hard to surpass the motets, particularly in performances as superlative as these by the Nederlands Kamerkoor under Peter Dijkstra. A mixed choir with 26 members, the Nederlands Kamerkoor makes up for its small size with superb singing. The performances here are mellow but lucid, with a devotional but not sentimental tone and a blend that never sacrifices clarity for musicality. Under Dijkstra's skillful and sympathetic direction, they make Komm, Jesu, Komm sound honestly heartfelt; Lobet den Herrn, alle Heiden sound sincerely joyful; and Jesu, meine Freude sound like the cri du coeur it is. With super audio sound that puts the listener in the same room as the performers, this disc should be heard by anyone who knows Bach's motets.