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Bach: St. Matthew Passion
Sibylla Rubens, Andreas Scholl, Ian Bostridge
Bach: St. Matthew Passion
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (29) - Disc #1
  •  Track Listings (23) - Disc #2
  •  Track Listings (16) - Disc #3

Johann Sebastian Bach's monumental St. Matthew Passion was first performed on Good Friday in 1727 at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig. It is the largest single composition Bach ever wrote, both in terms of length and in te...  more »

     
   
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CD Details

All Artists: Sibylla Rubens, Andreas Scholl, Ian Bostridge, Werner Gura, Dietrich Henschel, Franz-Josef Selig, Collegium Vocale, Philippe Herreweghe
Title: Bach: St. Matthew Passion
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 7/14/2009
Album Type: Box set, Import
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Sacred & Religious
Number of Discs: 3
SwapaCD Credits: 3
UPCs: 794881478521, 794881478521

Synopsis

Product Description
Johann Sebastian Bach's monumental St. Matthew Passion was first performed on Good Friday in 1727 at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig. It is the largest single composition Bach ever wrote, both in terms of length and in terms of instrumental and vocal forces. It requires two choruses, two orchestras, four vocal soloists for the arias and vocal soloists for each of the various character parts. Philippe Herreweghe's 1999 recording of Bach's masterpiece features a stellar cast and was a perennial catalog bestseller. This re-issue, without the now-obsolete CD-ROM that was offered with its previous incarnation, will be welcome to Bach fans everywhere.
 

CD Reviews

A voice teacher and early music fan
George Peabody | Planet Earth | 07/19/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)

"SUPERSTAR PERFORMERS ON THIS 1998 HERREWEGHE RECORDING!



There is no doubt in my mind that the forces Herreweghe has employed here are some of the best in the 'Passion' business. Aside from this, however, one cannot eliminate the fact that there are two other (and no doubt more) major recordings of this work that stand on their own merit,which, for the most part is as 'good' or as 'bad' as this one. The three that I own including this this one (I reviewed on customer reviews) and refer to are: Gardiner's 1988 recording with the outstanding Monteverdi Choir that sparkles and shines as only they can; the 1994 Cleobury King's College Choir, whose soloists are superb etc, etc. etc. So it all amounts to YOU, and what turns YOU on!



Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), a Lutheran, was specifically asked by St. Thomas Church, Leipzig, to supply a non-theatrical Passion. In this context 'passion' stands for the act of passive suffering, of watching and occasionally empathizing in the suffering of Christ, a development which began in the Middle Ages when the church took steps to popularize the Bible. When sung, the role of the Evangelist would be a tenor(Bostridge on this recording) and that of Jesus by a Bass (Selig on this recording). As various instruments were added they began to be associated with certain roles and as in opera any dramatic action in the text occurred during the recitative. The chorus has two functions: to participate in the action and then to reflect upon it, such reflection provided by the chorales which were familiar Lutheran hymns.



The St. Matthew Passion was composed for the Good Friday service at St.Thomas Church in Leipzig in 1727. As time went on Bach revised and added other pieces and subsequently this Passion became the grandest and largest of his works. He used a Double Chorus, included a third soprano group for the opening and close of Part one, two orchestras split so that they either accompanied the first or second chorus, four soloists who carry specific parts and a number of other singers who have other roles. The Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 26 & 27, plus traditional Lutheran chorales and meditative peoms (by Henrici also known as Picander) provide the text. The Evangelist narrates the action scene by scene.



Although the work as a whole is somewhat heavy and sombre there are some lighter moments to treasure, and none more delightful than the soprano aria in Part One 'Ich will dir mein herze schenken'(I will give my heart to Thee), sung here by Sibylla Rubens. Part two contains one of the best known and much loved arias from the work 'Erbarme dich, mein Gott' (Have mercy,my God) for alto and violin obligato and pizzicato bass; beautifully rendered by Andreas Scholl. The death is terse but dramatic as is the earthquake following with the heartrending cry 'Wahrlich dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewessen' (Truly this was the son of God). It all ends with a Sarabande-like chorale bidding Jesus to rest in peace.



The performance, itself, is excellent and beyond reproach. Ian Bostridge is all that one would desire in a tenor Evangelist, which is a sense of the dramatic, clear precise diction and that empathic sonorous sound that is uniquely his. Andreas Scholl presents one of his most emotional performances; sometimes I find that he is too laid-back for my taste, but not in this recording!!!All of the soloists are excellent and Herreweghe does a great job of pulling it all together in one cohesive and glorious production.



The packageing of this edition is first-class; the booklet includes all the information that one may need to fully comprehend this monumental work of Bach's; in French, English and German.



You should allow yourself an entire day to explore and experience and absorb all of the information. OR JUST SIT BACK AND ENJOY THIS TRULY INSPIRATIONAL MUSIC OF JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH."
Frédéric, from Montreal, Canada
F. D. Bousquet | Montreal, Québec, Canada | 02/06/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hello!



What can I say that the other reviewers hasn't, not much quite frankly. I'm a neophyte in the classical music world... I was overwhelmed, to tears sometimes, by the beauty of the music which must be, in part, because of the quality of the interpretation. You can't go wrong with this one!



Have a great day!



Fred"