Harry Christophers and the Sixteen give Bach"s robust three-minute cantata no. 50, Nun ist das Heil, its best performance on disc--the double chorus, trumpets, winds, and strings balance clarity and an almost military power. The Pentecost Cantata 34, O ewiges feuer, has a beautiful opening chorus with voices, trumpets, and violins dancing about like the Holy Spirit"s tongues of fire; there"s an exultant final chorus and only one aria, a lullaby-like tune for alto, flutes, and strings (given a pinched performance by David James). The popular Cantata no. 147, Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, is famous mostly for the original setting of the famous chorale prelude Jesu, Joy of Man"s Desiring but has an exhilarating opening chorus and fine arias as well. With the one exception noted above, the performances are excellent. --Matthew Westphal