Customer Reviews

Bach: Matthäus Passion [The Jonathan Miller BBC Production]

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Paul's arrangement of this masterpiece is clearly "the best". I wish it was available on dvd as the theatrical part adds a lot to the total enjoyment. I have seen it performed on tv and it is outstanding.

This is a different recording of one of the best known pieces by Bach. The differences come in three varieties, first that the recoding was done in the round with the two halves of the orchestra surrounding the conductor and microphones, giving a real sense of being surrounded by the performance. The second major difference is the speed of recording; it is much faster than the usual standards. The third difference is that it is much more involving than the usual reproductions, the passion takes flight and you are carried along by the words and music.

I highly recommend that you get a copy of this to show how Operatic the ladies of Leipzig thought it when they wrote to the town council complaining of the Opera Comedy played in church on Easter....

Bach's work Matthaus Passion is an amazing piece of work and showcases some of the best classical music ever written. Being protestant Bachs music reminds me of going to mass and when the choir sings it is like being in Church. This production overseen by Jonathan Miller is simply put it stupendous and does justice to this incredible piece of music. The book-let is very well done and has intresting tidbits about the reaction to the passion and the the singers and the conductor used for this grand recording.