Bach: Mass in B Minor / Fasolis et al.

J.S. Bach (Composer), Diego Fasolis (Conductor), Lynne Dawson (Performer), Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca (Orchestra, Performer), Roberta Invernizzi (Performer), Christoph Prégardien (Performer), Diego Fasolis (Artist), Roberta Invernizzi (Artist), Lynne Dawson (Artist), Gloria Banditelli (Artist), Christoph Pregardien (Artist), Klaus Mertens (Artist), Italian Swiss Radio Chorus (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Lynne Dawson, Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca, Roberta Invernizzi, Christoph Prégardien
• Orchestra: Sonatori de la Gioiosa Marca
• Conductor: Diego Fasolis
• Composer: J.S. Bach
• Audio CD (January 26, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Arts Music
• ASIN: B00000HZUE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #470,434 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

You wouldn't think of Lugano, Switzerland, as a hotbed of the early-music revival, but conductor Diego Fasolis has been doing some fascinating things there with his Italian Swiss Radio Chorus. Their performances of Palestrina, Carissimi, and Bach (the Magnificat) on the midprice label Arts Music have demonstrated not only skill and musicality but a willingness to make innovative, even unorthodox choices. Here Fasolis and his chorus, with five bona-fide Baroque stars as soloists and the excellent Italian period-instrument orchestra I Sonatori della Gioiosa Marca, turn their attention to Bach's B Minor Mass. At first the results are underwhelming: all three movements of the Kyrie seem somewhat uninvolved. But once the musicians reach the more extroverted and dramatic music of the Gloria, things really pick up. Fasolis isn't afraid of extreme tempos or dramatic gestures: for example, in the opening of the Crucifixus, where most Baroque orchestras play the opening chords solemnly and reverently, Fasolis hammers them like so many nails into a cross. The chorus and orchestra handle everything Fasolis tosses at them with aplomb; the soloists are excellent, with notably sweet singing by tenor Christoph Prégardien and bass Klaus Mertens and a gripping Agnus Dei by contralto Gloria Banditelli. This is a recording of a live performance-radio broadcast, so one can hear the occasional blemish, but there's more than enough excitement to make up for that. This record may not be as extraordinary as Philippe Herreweghe's full-price account, but it's far and away the best budget version--at the price, it's worth adding to any serious Baroque collection. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Safe bet, May 21, 2006

By 

Arnout Koeneman (the netherlands) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Mass in B Minor / Fasolis et al. (Audio CD)

The catalogue is filled with many great recordings of Bach's Mass in B.
Who needs another one?

But from all the great recordings I listened to and own there are only very few I listen to at a regular base: Herreweghe I and II, Christophers and this one.
I think it is because this versions are the most natural, musically.

When it comes to interpretations (I'm not suggesting I'm an expert, I only use my ears) there are far more interesting ones than my favorites mentioned.
A Parrott for instance, who uses one voice per part which as a result is very insightfull, the performance itself is superb too.
Gardiner who has a very rhythmic orientated reading, with clipped singing which has its peculiar dramatic effects.

But when I listen to music I don't necessarily want to "learn", I want to be moved by the beauty of the music, I do not want to listen to music too analytical.

Herreweghe is often called "middle of the road" and "safe"
True, but in this case I think these descriptions are a compliment rather than negative critique, you'll get music only and no forced view of how Bach should or could sound...the internet is full with forums where discussions about the number of singers Bach used or not used in his time are held...interesting, but not while I'm listening to music (per se).

Fasolis is like Herreweghe as natural as you can get, perhaps only the "Crucifixus" is different than any other I listened to, very staccato, but it works very well.

In comparison with Herreweghe Fasolis is more loose and spontaneous, which I like very much, but the fact that it is a live performance obviously had its influence, but that aside, in some respect I like Fasolis even better than Herreweghe.
Herreweghe is far more concentrated, but both have a natural way of phrasing the music.

Orchestra and soloists are superb, although the beginning of the openingchorus isn't very confident, but it's a live performance, and to me those tiny slips add something to the performance, call it involvement...my involvement, that of the listener.
The sound of the recording is excellent, warm with substance and pretty realistic, it seems nothing is polished or mixed afterwards, vocals sound spectacularly real.
Highly recommended.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Superb!!!, October 13, 2004

By 

Voice Lover (Durham, NC) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: Mass in B Minor / Fasolis et al. (Audio CD)

I'm frankly surprised that there aren't numerous reviews for this recording. It is glorious in just about every way imaginable. I'm not a Bach expert but have listened to various recordings of the B Minor Mass over the years and have even sung in a few performances of it. This has to be one of the best Bach recordings I've ever heard. Get it and enjoy!!!

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Best Recording of the Bach Mass in B Minor, November 3, 2009

By 

MSHARK "Mark" (Texas) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bach: Mass in b minor BWV 232 (MP3 Download)

This is without a doubt the best recording of the Bach B minor mass. The problem with some of the older recordings that are often cited as the best conducting/interpretations -- is the quality of the recordings. So many were made on analog equipment or in less-than-desirable settings; especially the ones made with only a few microphones in some gigantic church or cathedral: a lot of muddled and muddy recordings are out there. This recording is crispy clear with incredible separation and depth. And the orchestra, soloists, and conductor do a great job. Forget the rest of the recommendations: this is the best all around as of late 2009.

It's also pointing out the obvious, but I would be remiss if I didn't add a comment for the classical music neophytes: this is possibly the most wonderful, spiritual, transcendental piece of music ever written. It is a great calming, stress-reliever, too. There are times when I think "...this is really the only piece of music one needs to own."