Johannes-Passion BWV 245 - conducted by Frans Bruggen

Recording

V-1	Johannes-Passion BWV 245
Frans Brüggen
Nederlands Kamerkoor / Orchestra of the 18th Century
Tenor [Evangelist]: Nico van der Meel; Bass [Jesus]: Kristinn Sigmundsson; Soprano [Arias]: Annegeer Stumphius; Counter-tenor [Arias]: James Bowman; Tenor [Arias]: Christoph Prégardien; Bass [Arias]: Peter Kooy; Bass [Pilatus]: Jelle Draijer; Bass [Petrus]: David Barick; Tenor [Servus]: Michiel ten Houte de Lange; Soprano [Ancilla]: Adinda de Nijs
Philips		Feb 1992	2-CD / TT: 1:47:43

SJP by Frans Brüggen

Wim Huisjes wrote (November 7, 1999):

< Samuel Frederick wrote: And why not say a little about Brüggen's Johannes Passion as well. My curiosity is piqued. >

Just tried the address, taken from this message: I spelled it right and the site appeared very quickly...! They did some reconstruction recently though. And after it appears: click on "English" first.

If you can't find the site: try to e-mail them on the info-address I gave. If you're out of luck: let me know, I'll think of something. Don't know why your browser can't find the site.

As for Brüggen's SJP: same story, just heard a few parts on radio. Also more than excellent and very much available over here. You should see Brüggen: his conducting is inspiring, very much involved:

Frans Brüggen

Nico van der Meel, Kristinn Sigmudsson, Annegeer Stumphius, James Bowman (!), Christoph Pregardien (!), Peter Kooy (!).

Netherlands Chamber Choir

Orchestra of the 18th Century

PHILIPS 434 905 (2 CD's)

Looks like even a better cast than his SMP has!

IIRC: his SMP is probably dated 1998 (the Philips 1999 catalogue (published in 1998) lists it as "new"). His SJP is probably just one or two years older.

SJP by Frans Brüggen

Ehud Shiloni wrote (May 14, 2004):
I recently found a used copy of Brüggen's recording of the SJP on Philips, which has been OOP for a long time. I am very happy with it. Unlike Brüggen's "Live" recording of the SMP, which was spliced together from three different concerts and has noticeable technical problems, this one was not recorded "Live" and the result is very good technically.

The performance is a very interesting one. Brüggen's chorals are the speediest around, but somehow they do not sound improper. He plays with varying dynamics and tempos and succeeds IMO to produce just the right feeling, despite the overall breakneck speed. The opening chorus is also unique, with a subdued and humble opening, juxtaposed with a heroic second part. Quite intriguing.

Nico Van Der Meel is the evangelist. I did not like him at the SMP, and I thought that his lyrical style and light voice did not maintain the dramatic suspense of the tragic "story". But here, with the SJP, the "story" unfolds much more rapidly and the tension is naturally maintained, so that I could concentrate purely on his singing, and it is truly beautiful and engaging.

The other soloists are Sigmundson [Jesus], Stumphius , Bowman, Pregardien and Kooy.

The Orchestra of the 18^th Century is superb in this recording, very agile and responsive, with excellent "HIP" colour.

I am surprised that this fine recording is not better known - I wonder if any of the Listmemebers has had the chance to hear it. The fact that it went OOP indicates slow sales and little recognition, which is a shame.

I intend to listen more to this version. Recommended.

Ehud Shiloni
P.S. Recorded at the Vredenburg, Utrecht on 2/1992.

Back to the Top

Last update: ýJune 5, 2004 ý22:30:04