Thread: Favorite St. Matthew's Passion

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.

I recommended this in another thread before, but again:

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.

A vote for Klemperer , old style
Herreweghe 99, HIP

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.

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

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

karajan bizet.JPG karajan bizet.JPG

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

Originally Posted by Itullian

A vote for Klemperer , old style

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