Soloists: | Ernst Haefliger, evangelist, tenor
Walter Berry, bass, jesus
Agnes Giebel, sopraan
Martha Hoeffgen, alt
John Van Kesteren, tenor
Franz Crass, bass
Leo Ketelaars, bass |
Comments: | Marten Folmer said:
A late-romantic, pre-authentic recording by the very best, now Royal, Dutch orchestra, The Concertgebouworchestra Amsterdam. Mr. Jochem does not hurry his musicians, but gives Bach all opportunity to unveil the deepest emotions on the suffering of Jesus. If you, as I, might be non religious, at least an impressive story comes out of your loudspeakers, in which all vices and virtues of Homo (Sapiens) are clearly exposed. Your soul and feelings will be profoundly shaken (and stirred). The Orchestra and the two choirs are well known, with reason. So are the soloists. Haefliger is superb, as Berry. The recording is very much "sixties" Philips, mooth and rich, alle instruments merged and still traceble in a panorama of notes, unlike some same-ere-other-brands-recordings which sometimes sound like coming from a transistor radio. Shure microphones, I was told. So be it. In fact, it sounds even after thirty years, better than several Passions on CD. The pressing is even more impressive, hardly any noise, rumble and cracks. Having to get up to swich the LP-side every twenty minutes is annoying, I admit, but good for your health. It is on CD now, mid-priced. |