Brahmsianhorn writes, "I can't understand why Jochum does not get mentioned more. It is absolutely gorgeous."
Jochum is a favorite conductor of mine, too. Yet, as I recall, back in the 1980s, when I first began to discover classical music, I asked a composer friend of mine (& notable teacher of composition), which conductor or conductors he'd most recommend for Bach's choral works? At the time there were no period recordings of the choral works in the catalogue (as Gardiner's hadn't arrived yet), and to my surprise, he replied there wasn't a single recording that he could recommend. I remember asking him about Jochum at the time--whose Brahms, Bruckner, & Beethoven he'd thought highly of--& he replied that Jochum's Bach was "beautiful", but that his "conducting style" was "all wrong for Bach". When I pressed him further, he eventually ended up recommending Peter Schreier's 1st recording of the Mass in B minor on Eurodisc (now Berlin Classics), stating that Schreier had a better understanding of Baroque style than Jochum. (At the time, Schreier hadn't started his Bach choral series for Philips.)
Since then, Schreier has became one of my go-to conductors for Bach choral music, and is usually a top choice among modern instrument versions. However, I prefer his two excellent Mass in B minor recordings and Christmas Oratorio to his St. Matthew Passion.
Listening to Jochum's St. Matthew Passion today for the first time in many years, it is very beautiful, I agree, but stylistically, I agree with my friend that it's often too slow & overly romantic in parts. Surely Bach shouldn't be conducted as if he were Brahms? Granted, the soloists are first rate, & better than what you often get today...:
Unfortunately, I don't really have a favorite recording of the St. Matthew Passion. On the period front, I agree with others that Herreweghe's two recordings are good:
and
https://www.amazon.com/Bach-J-S-St-...6QAVMDM5DFM&psc=1&refRID=01WPG11336QAVMDM5DFM: with a slight preference for his second recording. If nothing else, Herreweghe consistently hires first rate singers on his Bach recordings. Though his soft-hued, rather feminine approach to Bach can leave me less than enthusiastic at times (as I tend to prefer my Bach to be more dynamic, incisive & transparent). I've also liked Veldhoven's recording in the past, but the last time I listened to it, I thought his tempi were too fast in places. I had a similar (but stronger) reaction to Paul McCreesh's Archiv recording. John Butt & the Dunedin Consort are very good too, but maybe a bit underpowered in the chorus, in parts (though brilliantly sung).
I suppose if I were forced to pick four period recordings that I could most get behind, I'd choose Nikolaus Harnoncourt's two St. Matthew Passions, Ton Koopman's 2nd live recording, and Butt's contrapuntally vivid OVPP performance on Linn hybrid SACD. For me, Harnoncourt had a special affinity for this work. I'm slightly partial to his pioneering 1970 recording, the one with boy soloists, instead of sopranos--though admittedly they carry with them a different set of problems (from professional singers). Nor am I always keen on Harnoncourt's tendency to over stress dynamic accents. So, I guess I'm still waiting for a St. Matthew Passion recording that I can totally rave about.
Harnoncourt 1--
Harnoncourt 2--
Koopman's performance can be watched on You Tube:
https://www.amazon.com/Matthew-Pass...&sr=1-3&keywords=ton+koopman+bach+st.+matthew
John Butt, Dunedin Consort:
Among today's Bach conductors, I'd say Eric Milnes is the most likely to do a magnificent recording of the St. Matthew Passion--one that I could rave about--that is, if his energies weren't so focused on his present brilliant, landmark OVPP Bach cantata series, with Montreal Baroque. Another might be Philippe Pierlot and the Ricercar Consort.
I've not yet heard Rene Jacobs recording, which has received good reviews (although I wasn't entirely crazy about Jacobs' Mass in B minor).
My two cents.