Matthaus-Passion BWV 244 - conducted by Geza Oberfrank

Recording

V-1	Matthäus-Passion BWV 244
Matthäus-Passion BWV 244
Géza Oberfrank
Hungarian Festival Choir (Chorus Master: Ágnes Mester) & Children's Choir of the Hungarian Radio (Chorus Master: János Reményi) / Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra
Tenor [Evangelist & 2^nd Witness]: Jozsef Mukk; Bass [Jesus]: István Gáti; Contralto [1^st Witness]: Judit Németh; Soprano: Ibolya Verebits; Bass [Judas, Petrus & arias]: Péter Köves; Bass [Pilatus & 2^nd High Priest]: Péter Cser; Bass [1^st High Priest]: Ferenc Koprás; Soprano [Pilatus' Wife & 1^st Maidservant]: Rózsa Kiss; [2^nd Maidservant]: Ágnes Csenki
Naxos		Feb 1993	3-CD / TT: 162:56

SMP by Geza Oberfrank - Bravo Naxos!

Ehud Shiloni wrote (February 23, 2005):
Here is a warm recommendation for anyone on a budget: If you are looking for a good version of the SMP you will be pleasantly surprised by this Naxos recording.

I was listening to this one yesterday and today, and I found it to be a good and engaging rendition. The tempo is brisk, similar to many HIP versions of late, but not overly hurried, except perhaps a couple of movements where I found myself in some disagreement with the "speed". The Hungarian Festivl Choir delivers a full-bodied and energetic sound. The Hungarian State Symphony Orchestra - perhaps not a household name in baroque music - is doing an overall splendid job, and most of the instrumental obligatos are just very fine.

I have never heard the name of any of the solo singers, and found them to be a good group. Jozef Mukk sings Evangelist and tenor arias and he is quite effective. Soprano Ibolya Verebits is probably the weakest link here, with too much vibrato and not a very engaging delivery. Istvan Gati as Jesus is Ok, but not much more IMO. Judith Nemeth is an excellent alto, convincingly touching in Erbarme Dich. Last but not least, Bass Peter Koves is almost magnificent. His singing is not as perfect as that of, say, a Klaus Mertens, but what a voice! A beautifull, deep Profundo, with all the low frequencies shining through - I bet even Thomas Braatz will approve of this kind of voice, rarely found lately.

The 3 CD's ended with a resounding "Wir setzen", deep, lush, tragic and powerful. I liked it a lot.

Thanks to Conductor Geza Obefrank for this nice set, and thanks to Naxos for pulling off agood one here.

David Glenn Lebut Jr. wrote (February 24, 2005):
[To Ehud Shiloni] Was this standard or early version?

Juan Carlos Hererra wrote (February 24, 2005):
[To Ehud Shiloni] Very interesting your comments on the hungarian SMP. If you have completed the audition, please say something about the following parts :

- Nº 1 Opening " Kommt, ihr Töchter......
- Nº 23 Recitative " O Schmerz !
- Nº 33 " So ist mein Jesus nun geflangen..
- Nº 35 " O Mensh, bewein...
- Nº 78 " Wir setzen uns .....

Thanks ...

Ehud Shiloni wrote (February 25, 2005):
[To David Glenn Lebut Jr.] This is the "standard" version.

Ehud Shiloni wrote (February 25, 2005):
[To Juan Carlos Herrera] You go right to the heart of the "Hit Parade", don't you?

Here, briefly, are my impressions:

-#1 - "Kommt, ihr Tochter": Very energetic but measured paced, full-bodied, well delineated lines, clearly discerned choirs, orchestras and boys choir in ripieno - despite the rather large forces, not overly heroic or emotional. In short: Quite the right mix. Very good.

-#19 [your 23] - "O Schmerz!": Too fast [1:36]. Tenor good, but not outstanding. Choral a bit diffused. Sound seems to have some extra echo. So-so. [The following aria is a lot better].

-#27 [ 33] - "So ist mein Jesus nun geflangen!": Again - too fast [3:51 inclusive of "Sind Blitze"]. Soprano and Alto do not blend too well [can't say exactly why]. So-so plus.

- #29 [ 35] - "O Mensch": Good, measured pace. Could be more incisive. Lines somewhat more blurred and less clearly delineated in comparison to opening chorus. Good. [Please note that I have developed a McCreesh-bias for this movement - 2VPP rules for me!....:-)].

-#68 [ 78 ] - "Wir setzen uns": Slowish, a-la-Richter pace [6:28] which is quite appropriate here. Nice organ sound. Choirs slightly diffused. Good.

As I said, this recording is not a number one choice, but it is definitely a respectable effort, and very good news for people on a budget.

Géza Oberfrank: Short Biography | Recordings | BWV 244 - Oberfrank

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Last update: �February 26, 2005 �23:02:19