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The performance dates from a time when major cuts in large works were pretty common, a practice that is now thankfully much more rare.
Favorite St. Matthew's Passion
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Cuts possibly necessitated by some of the funereal speeds adopted in the past.
Sorry about MTP for the St Matthew Passion by the way -- that was unintended. It reminds me of once when I abbreviated the Concertgebouw as CGB and someone who speaks Dutch told me that this was just ridiculous!
Right, so people just made cuts in the mid 1950s like that. In fact I rather what he does with the music at the end, from Am Abend, da es kuhle war -- someone once told me that this is what was played at his funeral, I don't know if it's true or not.
Right, so people just made cuts in the mid 1950s like that. In fact I rather what he does with the music at the end, from Am Abend, da es kuhle war -- someone once told me that this is what was played at his funeral, I don't know if it's true or not.
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I can appreciate different approaches to Bach, but my favorite version is Herreweghe's 1984 recording. In general I think the HIP movement has been pretty successful when it comes to Baroque music, and I tend to lean towards that approach though not exclusively.
to Brahmsianhorn -> (Mengelberg) - Yes, the Dutchman could sometimes have that EFFECT on a listener; the best of his recordings can be engrossing, and it would be somewhat difficult to argue that the Concertgebouw of his time was NOT at it's greatest, even w/o the benefit of Stereo, multi-channel microphones, etc. There are very good REASONS why the legacies of Mengelberg & Furtwangler … specifically in the SMP (and other repertoire, of course) … have stood the test of time.
BTW, there was a widely-lauded (in High Fidelity, and/or Stereo Review) St. Matthew Passion, in the hands of Karl Richter/DGG … decades-ago. It included Irmgard Seefried, Dietrich F-D, plus the Munich musicians - does anyone know about it, or has anyone listened to it?
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Sure. It's been available almost continuously during the CD era, in several incarnations.
It's a pretty commonly recommended recording, but I don't care for it. It has nothing to do with its lack of HIP-ness. I just don't hear much drama in Richter's conducting, and his soloists are pretty variable. The worst, unfortunately, is mezzo Hertha Töpper, and the mezzo has a lot of very important singing in the St. Matthew; her "Erbarme dich" leaves a big hole in the performance.
Perversely, I actually prefer the recording Richter made in 1979, shortly before he died, for its stronger soloists, particularly Janet Baker, who has everything that Töpper lacks.
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This was the version that introduced me to the St Matthew years ago. Richter is far more vital than in his later version (in which his speeds are slower and he also uses distracting harpsichord) and D F-D is in superb voice in the bass arias and Haeflinger as the evangelist. Heaflinger actually sings the tenor arias too and although the women are not so good they are adequate. I have it on CD but would advise a listen to the approach (which was the more vital of the old fashioned type of approaches) before purchase.
-> Bill Kasimer & DavidA - Thanks, and looks like there are two, very-DIFFERENT characterizations of what Richter achieved; i.e., Bill much-prefers the later Richter, and conversely, DavidA prefers the earlier one! It's a shame to hear that Ms. Topper was disappointing; from what I remember of her reputation, she usually rated high marks (although can't remember the sources of them). …. Thus, I suppose when we consider MODERN recordings, there's not a clear-cut favorite? … since WM and WF, of the oldest ones, deserve a place of their own?
Well, BTW, am a bit of a "newcomer" to this entire site - so, has there, in the past, been any discussions 'bout Bach's "St. John Passion"? It was a while (yeah, a LONG one, haha) ago, that I bought the old Seraphim set, with Karl Forster and the very-remarkable, but short-lived tenor - Fritz Wunderlich.
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I should tell you, though, that I don't know anyone else who prefers the later Richter recording. I know a number of people who aren't particularly fond of the earlier one, but that doesn't mean that they prefer the later. There was actually another Richter recording made between those two, but it's never been widely available outside of Japan. I heard it once and remember little about it, except that I culled it shortly afterwards.
Certainly not for work of the scope of the St. Matthew. But if you're looking for a modern instrument recording in good sound, you might consider Rilling's Hanssler recording or Solti's on Decca. Another one I like is Corboz's - I find it a bit tame, but the soloists are really fantastic.
Yes, but I'd never recommend either to someone who doesn't already own several versions,
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If anyone is interested in a cheap copy of Rilling's recording...
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bach-St-Matthew-Passion-BVW-244-Rilling-3-CDs-w-68-Trks/401679830940
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Bach-St-Matthew-Passion-BVW-244-Rilling-3-CDs-w-68-Trks/401679830940
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Topper us a bit plummy I must say. Baker is far the best singer
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The one excelently conducted by Reginald Jacques, sung in English:
https://music.apple.com/gb/album/bach-st-matthew-passion/500153963
https://music.apple.com/gb/album/bach-st-matthew-passion/500153963
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Not to take on a desert island but if you like the romantic approach it has some wonderful singing. The recording should be remastered, however.
My dessert island set.
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Just thinking of the versions I have of what I consider one of the greatest of all works of music ever written:
![Rectangle Font Electric blue Pattern Signature]()
Version that introduced me to the work. Richter at his best in traditional version before he got too lugubrious
![Font Poster Art Paper Reptile]()
Romantic version of the work as Karajan used to conduct on Good Friday. Indulgence
![Cross Crucifix Religious item Artifact Art]()
Superb singing but feel Gardiner just misses out on the spiritual dimension somewhat
![Organism Font Art Event Monochrome]()
Very fine first version from Herreweghe
![Nature Carnivore Organism Dog breed Font]()
Harnoncourt puts a lifetimes experience into the work - might be the best all-round bet?
Continued next post...........
Version that introduced me to the work. Richter at his best in traditional version before he got too lugubrious
Romantic version of the work as Karajan used to conduct on Good Friday. Indulgence
Superb singing but feel Gardiner just misses out on the spiritual dimension somewhat
Very fine first version from Herreweghe
Harnoncourt puts a lifetimes experience into the work - might be the best all-round bet?
Continued next post...........
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View attachment 127896
Jacobs brings usual insights in highly dramatic and controversially recorded version
View attachment 127897
One per part. I thought I would hate this but it really comes off with very brisk tempi and fabulous singing. Not the only way of doing it but must be heard.
Jacobs brings usual insights in highly dramatic and controversially recorded version
View attachment 127897
One per part. I thought I would hate this but it really comes off with very brisk tempi and fabulous singing. Not the only way of doing it but must be heard.
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