Dan writes:

>Hello, Has anybody heard any of Rilling's Complete works of Bach, from
>Hanssler? Hanssler is a pretty inexpensive label, I'm considering getting
>them.  In a similiar vein how about his complete cantatas, any thoughts?

I've heard some of the cantatas and must say they underwhelmed me.  I
found them monotonous in approach and insensitive to the texts (and thus
to the music which illustrates the texts).  The choral sound is "typically
German," and it's a sound I don't normally care for - hooty trebles,
bloodless others, lifeless rhythm.

I should say, however, that many people disagree with me.  For their Bach,
Rilling is *the* guy.  Nevertheless, Bach's work is so varied, it's hard
for me to conceive of one conductor able to encompass all of it.  Bach is
definitely one composer who needs more than one interpreter.  Why commit
yourself to one?

Steve Schwartz