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Music : Bach: Mass in B minor
Rating: 
- Sometimes you just have to splash out....
There are some pieces you can get away with getting cheap recordings of, but when it comes to the monolothic Mass in B Minor I think it's well worth spending a few extra quid to get a good recording - or in this case, a near flawless one.
This massive, complex and enormously inflential work commands so much respect, it must be terrifying to perform it, but Gardiner's team certainly pulls it off brilliantly. Don't be put off by the authentic instruments aspect of this recording - Gardiner doesn't fall into the trap that so many other authentic instrument conductors seem to fall into: taking the pieces at breakneck speed. The speeds certainly aren't slow, but never feel rushed either. Also, despite being quite a small choir the Monteverdi's sound is very impressive.
Finally, the all-important solo and duet arias are all executed flawlessly - especially my particular favourites the almost unbearably melancholy Agnus Dei and strangely bittersweet Domine Deus. Seriously bordering on perfection here!
This CD set also comes with some very in-depth and insightful liner notes, useful to set the work in context and explain its idiosyncracies etc.
So, yes, it may be quite expensive, but with a work of art like this, why settle for anything less?
Rating: - A monumental work in every respect.
Never performed in Bach's lifetime the Mass in B minor is perhaps one of the greatest musical works ever written, indeed Bach never had at his disposal the number and quality of musicians needed to perform this work. Full of marvellous harmony and melody, its musical scope and dimension are hugh. If Bach himself was able to view this performance I believe he would pronounce himself to be well satisfied.
Rating: - Not by Deutsche Grammaphon but Archiv and very good
An excellent English recording of this wonderful mass - well worth adding to the cd collection
- Sometimes you just have to splash out....There are some pieces you can get away with getting cheap recordings of, but when it comes to the monolothic Mass in B Minor I think it's well worth spending a few extra quid to get a good recording - or in this case, a near flawless one.
This massive, complex and enormously inflential work commands so much respect, it must be terrifying to perform it, but Gardiner's team certainly pulls it off brilliantly. Don't be put off by the authentic instruments aspect of this recording - Gardiner doesn't fall into the trap that so many other authentic instrument conductors seem to fall into: taking the pieces at breakneck speed. The speeds certainly aren't slow, but never feel rushed either. Also, despite being quite a small choir the Monteverdi's sound is very impressive.
Finally, the all-important solo and duet arias are all executed flawlessly - especially my particular favourites the almost unbearably melancholy Agnus Dei and strangely bittersweet Domine Deus. Seriously bordering on perfection here!
This CD set also comes with some very in-depth and insightful liner notes, useful to set the work in context and explain its idiosyncracies etc.
So, yes, it may be quite expensive, but with a work of art like this, why settle for anything less?
Rating:
- A monumental work in every respect.Never performed in Bach's lifetime the Mass in B minor is perhaps one of the greatest musical works ever written, indeed Bach never had at his disposal the number and quality of musicians needed to perform this work. Full of marvellous harmony and melody, its musical scope and dimension are hugh. If Bach himself was able to view this performance I believe he would pronounce himself to be well satisfied.
Rating:
- Not by Deutsche Grammaphon but Archiv and very goodAn excellent English recording of this wonderful mass - well worth adding to the cd collection