Matthaus-Passion BWV 244 - conducted by Ton Koopman

Recordings

V-4	J.S. Bach: Matthaüs-Passion · Passion Selon Saint Matthieu · St. Matthew Passion
Matthäus-Passion BWV 244
Ton Koopman
Nederlandse Bachvereniging (Chorus Master: Jos van Veldhoven) & Sacramentskoor Breda (Chorus Master: Walther Cantryn) / Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra
Tenor [Evangelist]: Guy de Mey; Bass [Jesus]: Peter Kooy; Soprano [arias, 1^st Maid, 2^nd Maid, Pilate's wife]: Barbara Schlick; Alto [arias, 1^st Witness]: Kai Wessel; Tenor [arias, High Priest, Caiaphas]: Christoph Prégardien; Bass [arias, High Priest]: Klaus Mertens
Erato		Jun 1992	3-CD / TT: 164:16
1^st recording of Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 by T. Koopman. Recorded at Nederlands Hervormde Kerk, Oudkarspel, Holland. Buy this album at: Amazon.com \| Amazon.com [Excerpts]

V-5	J.S. Bach: Matthaüs-Passion
Matthäus-Passion BWV 244
Ton Koopman
Amsterdam Baroque Orchestra & Choir
Tenor [Evangelist]: Jörg Dürmüller; Bass: Ekkehard Abele [Christ]; Soprano: Cornelia Samuelis; Tenor: Paul Agnew; Bass: Klaus Mertens; Alto: Bogna Bartosz
Antoine Marchand		Mar 2005	2-CD, DVD / TT: 154:07
2^nd recording of Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 by T. Koopman. Recorded live at Joriskerk, Amersfoort, Holland. See: Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 - conducted by Ton Koopman Buy this album at: Amazon.com [CD] \| Amazon.com [DVD]

Koopman DVD of BWV 244

Chris Kern wrote (August 15, 2006):
I generally don't like to ask questions about specific recordings because I really don't like all the vicious and insulting criticism that gets bandied about, but I'm thinking of supplementing my SMP DVD collection with the Koopman. I'm a little concerned about it because the running time seems somewhat short (only 2:34) and one review on Amazon said that Koopman's verson is "steeped in the brisk rythms of the baroque dance music". Those of you who generally like HiP performances, if you've seen this DVD what do you think? I'm not going to judge a recording based solely on running time, but I'd like to at least hear if the soloists are good and if the disc has subtitles.

Eric Bergerud wrote (August 15, 2006):
Archiv reviewed the CD version of this work and found it very good although somewhat lacking in "emotion." (I must have a tin ear. I just don't know what "emotion" sounds like. It strikes me that the world's great Bach singers, many of whom Koopman employs, sing beautifully. As you can see, I am a very poor critic. In my humble opinion if a singer is good enough to record with someone of Koopman's stature they have a rare and wonderful skill. I find it almost impossible to snipe at someone who does something that I can't imagine myself or anyone I've known doing.) As far as timing goes, 2:34 is a tad quicker than Gardiner, Herreweghe or McCreesh but I rather doubt you'd notice it in a work of that length. A DVD of Richter is out there: probably good for six hours or so. I own Cleobury's which I find very nice: Emma Kirkby helps with the heavy lifting and Paul Goodman has the Brandenburg Concert in good form and it's $15. Anyway, if you like Koopman's polished sound in cantatas, I can't imagine his SMP being a dud.

BTW: I now own all of Bach's large scale choral works on DVD. I know some people on the list find the format disapointing, but I enjoy them all, especially Harnoncourt's Xmas Oratorio (BWV 248). I have a pretty fair stereo attached to the television so I don't take any audio hit. And the SMP certainly does hold one's attention.

Rianto wrote (August 17, 2006):
[To Chris Kern] I don't find it too fast, nor the rhythm too brisk to disturb my personal taste. In fact, I find the whole thing flows agreeably to support the drama the work contains. Watched the DVD again last night, just to make sure. And yes, the disc has subtitles.

The soloists are all excellent. So is the orchestra, the choir, all of them. I do have minor reservation regarding the tenor who does the Arias, though. Watching him, I just cannot shake the uneasy feeling that he's overdoing his parts a bit too much. It is as if he's trying to force the affects of the text with his singing. (I this sense, he reminds me of the soprano who sings in Gardiner's Xmas Oratorio (BWV 248) DVD. Though not as worse.) As I said before, it's only minor. His parts are still enjoyable. I still prefer to listen to this tenor than the ones employed for the same role in Cleobury's DVD and Richter's.

Of the three DVDs that I have, I choose to watch and listen to Koopman's first. I return to Richter's mainly when I want to listen to Hamari and Schreier.

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Last update: ýAugust 17, 2006 ý11:45:11