Favorite St. Matthew's Passion

**GioCar** · Feb-05-2014, 09:21

My favorite Matthäus?
I realized that, for most of ther times, it's the newest one I have listened to, possibly because I tend to discover new things that intrigue me.

So at the moment I'd say the recent Jacobs

I like Jacobs' sense of drama, and I find that the alternation of dramatic and meditative points is quite effective here.

Looking back at my past listening experience, I'd say that Harnoncourt (2nd) and Klemperer are those which I am fonder of, even if now I find the Klemperer one not having a Bach "sound" (sorry, I cannot find a better word) any more.

**Il_Penseroso** · Feb-05-2014, 09:44

I recommended this in another thread before, but again:

**Oreb** · Feb-05-2014, 09:48

One to avoid is the Harnoncourt from 2000 - unless the prospect of a soprano sounding like a harpy (Christine Schafer) seems appealing...

A pity, because the ever-reliable Matthias Goerne is in particularly fine voice throughout.

**Itullian** · Feb-05-2014, 10:27

A vote for Klemperer , old style
Herreweghe 99, HIP

**DavidA** · Feb-05-2014, 11:33

Originally Posted by Oreb

One to avoid is the Harnoncourt from 2000 - unless the prospect of a soprano sounding like a harpy (Christine Schafer) seems appealing...

A pity, because the ever-reliable Matthias Goerne is in particularly fine voice throughout.

Agree about Goerne but Schafer sounds to me. In any case, what us a 'harpy'?

**moody** · Feb-05-2014, 15:19

Originally Posted by DavidA

One should note this performance is heavily cut. Ther is also the unending succession of rubatos, exaggerated dynamics, inappropriate, thickly-spread legato, micromanaged phrasing, and a runaway harpsichordist who disfigures recitatives with staccato poundings are among the practices here some, used to a more HIP style, will find objectionable. Of course, many of these reflected the performing style of the time; others, the conductor’s willfulness. Just where this performance lies today is a matter of opinion. And accepting that Erb is good, to describe him as the 'greatest evangelist' in the light of some of the superb singers of the part around today (Gura for Jacobs is simply superb) might be a bit overstated.

It is generally accepted that Erb was the best, have you listened or are you speaking without that knowledge.
As for your other points ,I'm sure you are right I only listen to Erb and have everything he ever recorded.

**realdealblues** · Feb-05-2014, 19:42

Attachment 34324

Karl Richter's 1958 Recording for me. While I love Klemperer, it's Richter who really is the only one who brings this dramatic work to "Life". For myself, no one else before or since has matched him for absolute love and passion of this work (and all things Bach for that matter) and the ability to convey and transcend that emotion back to me, the listener.

**DrMike** · Feb-05-2014, 21:11

I have the 2nd Herreweghe recording, the Rilling recording on Hanssler, and excerpts of Suzuki's on BIS. I have also heard the Harnoncourt (2001) recording, Gardiner's, and Klemperer's. Of these, I love the Herreweghe. I do think there is a solemnity to the music, but I don't think it should be extremely so, for, as any Christian recognizes, while the suffering and death of the Savior were tragic things, there is also the wonderful gift that it brought to man, so in a weird way, for me, I like a little more optimism in my solemnity.

I still mean to add the Klemperer to my collection. I have heard it and greatly enjoyed it, and, after all, it is Klemperer!

**Itullian** · Feb-05-2014, 21:57

Originally Posted by drmike

i have the 2nd herreweghe recording, the rilling recording on hanssler, and excerpts of suzuki's on bis. I have also heard the harnoncourt (2001) recording, gardiner's, and klemperer's. of these, i love the herreweghe. i do think there is a solemnity to the music, but i don't think it should be extremely so, for, as any christian recognizes, while the suffering and death of the savior were tragic things, there is also the wonderful gift that it brought to man, so in a weird way, for me, i like a little more optimism in my solemnity.

I still mean to add the klemperer to my collection. I have heard it and greatly enjoyed it, and, after all, it is klemperer!

yessssssssssss

**Mandryka** · Feb-05-2014, 21:58

Butt.

I like it because of the responsiveness of the singers, because it's not monumental, and because it's so transparent. I like OVPP very much in Bach just on aesthetic grounds.

From older recordings there are two special ones for me -- Mengelberg and Scherchen. Scherchen is interesting because of the relationship between Christ and the Evangelist -- though personally I'm not a great fan of Cuenod. I am a great fan of Erb's voice though, and for me he makes Mengelberg's St Matthew Passion very special.

**DavidA** · Feb-05-2014, 22:20

Originally Posted by moody

It is generally accepted that Erb was the best, have you listened or are you speaking without that knowledge.
As for your other points ,I'm sure you are right I only listen to Erb and have everything he ever recorded.

Mind you, Moody, if you only listen to Erb, how do you know how good (or otherwise) other evangelists are? I have never heard anyone else mention Erb but that maybe that is because the recording now is hors concours. That's not to say he wasn't good, btw. But I do note he first sang the role in 1915. There have been many great singers of the role since then.

**Oreb** · Feb-05-2014, 22:32

I listened to part 1 on the Klemperer last night - first time in a couple of years spent exploring more modern accounts.

As stunning as I had remembered.

**Marschallin Blair** · Feb-06-2014, 00:48

Originally Posted by Oreb

I listened to part 1 on the Klemperer last night - first time in a couple of years spent exploring more modern accounts.

As stunning as I had remembered.

Try on this Karajan couture, look in the mirror, and tell me how radiant you look with it on:

aa kar.jpg

**Marschallin Blair** · Feb-06-2014, 01:05

karajan bizet.JPG karajan bizet.JPG

With Karajan presenting himself on such suave and ingratiating Gallic terms, how could I resist?

**Il_Penseroso** · Feb-06-2014, 01:07

Originally Posted by Itullian

A vote for Klemperer , old style

Another vote for Klemperer.... oh, and another vote for the old style as well!

Thread: Favorite St. Matthew's Passion

Thread Tools

Similar Threads

St Matthew Passion

Did Mozart lack the passion of his contemporaries?

Albrechtsberger's passion

My passion, hope and dream...

The Little Match Girl Passion

Posting Permissions