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Bach Choral Trifecta

Ray
Aug 6, 2016
2 min read

Audiophile nirvana is the trifecta of (1) great music combined with (2) great performance combined with (3) great recording. With Karl Richter's recording of the Bach St. Matthew Passion, St. John Passion, and the Mass in B Minor we have a trifecta of trifectas. The icing on the cake is the filming of these performances so we can see the performers together with the added luxury of subtitles.

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 - 1750)

St. Matthew Passion

Helen Donath · Julia Hamari Peter Schreier · Walter Berry

Munich Bach Choir and Orchestra

Karl Richter Conducting

Deutsche Grammophon 00044007341490

ASIN: B000CDIOYO

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xdl0m1v5el8

St. John Passion

Peter Schreier, tenor (Evangelist)

Ernst Gerold Schramm, bass (Jesus)

Siegmund Nimsgern, bass (Peter, Pilate)

Helen Donath, soprano Julia Hamari, contralto Horst R. Laubenthal, tenor Kieth Engen, bass Munich Bach Choir and Orchestra

Karl Richter Conducting

Deutsche Grammophon DVD 073411-2 129min LPCM DTS

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fT1y0_9qpeY

Mass in B minor

Peter Schreier, tenor (Evangelist)

Ernst Gerold Schramm, bass (Jesus)

Siegmund Nimsgern, bass (Peter, Pilate)

Gundula Janowitz, soprano Hertha Töpper, contralto Horst R. Laubenthal, tenor Hermann Prey, bass Munich Bach Choir and Orchestra

Karl Richter Conducting

Deutsche Grammophon DVD 073414-8 129min LPCM DTS

ASIN: B000C1XGCQ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vw9eEIfohj4

Notes:

I'll keep it brief since you can see for yourself on youtube.

St. Matthew Passion

This performance was filmed in a stark white set which accords with the austerity of St. Matthew's Passion.

Walter Berry's subterranean bass is astonishing. He looks like a disgruntled rhino or Fritz Reiner. Julia Hamari is an extraordinary blend of beauty and superhuman vocals. She looks transfigured in this performance. Peter Schreier's intensity can be a bit unnerving. I felt like I was about to be invaded by his steely spectacles.

St. John Passion

Opinions are violently divided about the use of static painted frescoes on this DVD (which is no longer available - you'll have to hunt for it on ebay). Would that Deutsche Grammophon catered to those who don't care for the static images by providing an alternate cut that shows the musicians instead of the static images. Complete film of the musicians performing must exist. It was just edited out. Personally, I like the frescoes. They convey a feeling of early Christianity and go well with the music. Since my main focus is on the music, I don't feel these images are an intrusion. Those who are more in need of a visual crutch might think otherwise.

The first movement is extraordinarily modern. Papa Bach was two hundred years ahead of his time.

Mass In B Minor

The mass is primus inter pares. It is shot in the beautifully baroque Klosterkirchein Diessen am Ammersee. The camera often pans over the riot of gilt. The normally stoical Karl Richter is animated. Obviously he feels a special connection to this piece and it shows in the fervor of the performance.