Search - J.S. Bach, Baird, Gratis :: Mass in B Minor

Worth More Than Twice The Price!

rhouser@seanet.com | Seattle | 11/27/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I used to turn up my nose at VOX recordings as being not up to par, but not anymore. With the releases over the last few years of performances by the Ama Deus Ensemble, Vox has become one of my favorite labels. This performance of the Mass in B Minor is definitely one of the best and easily worth twice the price.Kevin Deas is one of the best bass-baritones performing today, and the duet, Et in unum, by Baird and Gratis is worth the price of the cd alone. You really can't go wrong with any recording by the Ama Deus Ensemble."

One of my favorites!

pyramidcvv | Western US | 06/07/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this album! The opening chords still send a chill up my spine when I hear them. The chorus sounds great. This isn't one of those albums where fugal purists make all the other singers drop out so the fugue them can be heard. Instead, everyone gets to sing as loud as they want; fine with me! (It's about time someone let the tenors be heard.) The tempos are REALLY slow (especially the Et Expecto) - just the way I like 'em! Rilling turns the Crucifixus into an emotional catharsis that's truly heart-rending! And choral basses have never sounded so good as these do in the booming octaves of the Sanctus. The orchestra in the end of the Hosanna is sheer exhiliration; none of that choppy playing of the typical period instrument albums. Great album at a great price!"

A Mixed Bach

R. C. Ross | Birmingham | 02/28/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Claiming to be an `authentic' performance the recording was made with a small orchestra using period instruments (3 first violins, 2 seconds, 2 each of woodwind, etc.) and a choir of sixteen voices (four to a section). Whether it's `authentic' or not - who can tell? - it is undoubtedly an odd, uneven performance. The solo singing is generally pleasing. The choir is energetic and vibrant but at times enthusiasm becomes crude and blustering, edgy, even raucous. This is how it may have been in Bach's Leipzig - we know Bach was often dissatisfied with his little choir. Perhaps this is what 'authentic' means!Radu's performance is not without some worthwhile things to tell us about this incomparable and inexhaustible masterpiece. At the price it's worth hearing - it's certainly different."