Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Martin Flämig, Dresden Philharmonic Orchestra :: Bach: Masses BWV 233-236

Great Bach beautifully performed

Stephen Shotwell | Belmont CA | 09/12/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A really excellent Bach performance. Lots of vitality, very clean articulation by the chorus as well as the orchestra. The bass soloist is good; the other three soloists are superb -- the epitome of beautiful Bach singing.



As for the music? I am astonished by the quality. For so long I had neglected these masses, somehow supposing they were just inferior little B minor wannabes. (And, in fact, that always-praised behemoth has never topped my list of Bach favorites.)



All of the masses adopt the same six-part structure. Yet it is fascinating how each of the four works has a completely different character. The various keys, so meaningful to Bach, have a lot to do with this. The main choruses of the F major mass feature french horns prominently and have the earthy jubilation of a "hunting" cantata. The soprano aria of the A major mass evokes "Aus Liebe" from the St. Matthew Passion and is certainly equally ethereal. (Both pieces are set in A minor with the same scoring: soprano solo, obbligato flute(s) and violins as the "ground bass".) The Gloria of the G minor mass evokes the opening chorus of the St. John Passion in the same key. (Yeah, that's weird.) More satisfying actually is the closing chorus of that work.



The G major mass, in the same key as Part Two of the Christmas Oratorio, is my favorite. The Gloria of this work is a kaleidescope of multiple motives in counterpoint, a glorious summit of the high Baroque as only Bach could do. And both this chorus and the closing Cum Sancto Spiritu smile with a blessedness that is also uniquely Bach -- like landscapes saturated and shining with the grace of God, and made music and thus sensible even to the faithless like me."

The way Bach should be performed

Edward Nikicicz | midlothian, va United States | 05/27/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This album, recorded in East Germany about 30 years ago, is the best performance of Bach's little masses that I have heard. The same (or related) vinyl recording seemed to have more depth, but these CDs are still 5 stars. How could anyone give 5 stars to the Purcell Quartet recording, that sounds like a "frog choir"?"

Rare mix of power, precision, sensitivity, clean sound

103677.2344@compuserve.com | Houston,TX | 04/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Flamig has a good power foundation which is essential for all great German music (something many "authentic" performers need to pay more attention to). What makes this recording so great is that he uses power effectively while combining it with amazing sensitivity, especially on the "Kyrie" choruses. He has a way of sublimating the meticulous precision so that you notice the smooth flow that makes it so expressive."