"I must thank the Rough Guide or else I would never have herd about this recording. Mauricio Kagel is a lesser known contemporary composer from Buenos Aires Argentina. The Sainkt Bach Passion is an oratorio about Kagel's favorite composer Bach, which contain biography and texts from cantatas with the text by the composer . This recording was made soon after the premiere by the same forces: speaker, mezzo soprano, tenor, baritone, three choirs, organ and a large orchestra.
Kagel who is a set taught composer provides an extended interview explaining his style of composing is quite interesting. The work is about ninety minutes without any extended arias is actually quite surprisingly beautiful and moving . everyone does an outstanding job but especially the mezzo soprano Annie Sofie Van Otter and tenor Hans Peter Blochwitz. I would recommend anyone who is interested in modern music to try this recording./