THE BEST OF THE BEST!
Bach's St.Matthew Passion was composed for the Good Friday service at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig in 1727. Later Bach carried out some revision work and also inserted other pieces so that over a period of time it became by some measure the largest and grandest of his works. He used a double chorus, plus a 3rd soprano group for the opening and closing of Part One, two orchestras(split so that they always either accompany the first or second chorus), four soloists who carry specific parts and a number of other singers who take other roles. The text is taken from the Gospel of Matthew, Chapters 26 & 27, and from the traditional Lutheran Hymns(the chorales). The part of the Evangelist is traditionally sung by a tenor and the part of Jesus by a bass. This DVD recording fulfills all of the re quirements for this Passion, the King's College Choir is divided into two separate groups and the Jesus College Choir is the third soprano group. The Evangelist is sung by Rogers Covey-Crump, who presents a clear rendition, if not impassioned delivery, while Michael George is quite impressive with his richly-textured voice as Jesus. The four soloists are outstanding in every way with precise diction, impassioned deliveries and all quite comfortable singing the music of Bach. Some highpoints are Michael Chance's moving rendition of 'Erbarme dich' (Have mercy), probably one of the most impressive alto arias in the Passion. Chance delivers this with such emotional fervency that one feels as if he/she was present at the Crucifixion; absolutely stunning! Emma Kirkby, like Chance. is able to wrap herself around a Bach phrase like she was born to do so; her voice has a clarity and pathos that suits this music very well indeed. The Brandenburg Consort is as usu al very s k illful and correct and the choirs sing with an elegant emotion that goes well with Bach's wonderful Passion. The DVD is well done both in audio production and visual clarity.
1. Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 1.Chor (1. Teil)
2.Rezitativ
3.Choral
4. a) Rezitativ
5. b) Chor
6. c) Rezitativ
7. d) Chor
8. e) Rezitativ
9. Rezitativ
10. Arie
11. Rezitativ
12. Arie
13. a) Rezitativ
14. b) Chor
15. c) Rezitativ
16. d) Rezitativ
17. e) Chor
18. Choral
19. Rezitativ
20. Rezitativ
21. Arie
22. Rezitativ
23. Choral
24. Rezitativ
25. Choral
26. Rezitativ
27. Rezitativ
28. Arie
29. Rezitativ
30. Rezitativ
31. Arie
32. Rezitativ
33. Choral
34. Rezitativ
35. Rezitativ
36. a) Arie
37. b ) Chor
38. Rezitativ
39. Choral
40. Arie (2. Teil)
41. Rezitativ
42. Choral
43. Rezitativ
44. Rezitativ
45. Arie
46. a) Rezitativ
47. b) Chor
48. c) Rezitativ
49. d) Chor
50. Choral
51. a) Rezitativ
52. b) Chor
53. c) Rezitativ
54. Arie
55. Choral
56. a) Rezitativ
57. b) Chor
58. c) Rezitativ
59. Arie
60. Rezitativ
61. Choral
62. a) Rezitativ
63. b) Chor
64. Choral
65. Rezitativ
66. Rezitativ
67. Arie
68. a) Rezitativ
69. b) Chor
70. c) Rezitativ
71. d) Chor
72. e) Rezitat iv
73. Rezitativ
74. Arie
75. a) Rezitativ
76. b) Chor
77. c) Rezitativ
78. Choral
79. R ezi tativ
80. Rezitativ
81. Arie
82. a) Rezitativ
83. b) Chor
84. c) Rezitativ
85. d) Chor
86. e) Rezitativ
87. Rezitativ
88. Arie
89. a) Rezitativ
90. b) Chor
91. c) Rezitativ
92. d) Chor
93. e) Rezitativ
94. Choral
95. a) Rezitativ
96. b) Chor
97. c) Rezitativ
98. Rezitativ
99. Arie
