Bach: B Minor Mass

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Robert Shaw (Conductor), Robert Shaw Orchestra (Orchestra), Richard Connelly (Performer), Adele Addison (Performer), Ara Berberian (Performer), Florence Kipleff (Performer), Florence Kopleff (Performer), Mallory Walker (Performer), Sara Mae Endich (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Richard Connelly, Adele Addison, Ara Berberian, Florence Kipleff, Florence Kopleff, et al.
• Orchestra: Robert Shaw Orchestra
• Conductor: Robert Shaw
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (October 12, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: RCA
• ASIN: B00001R3MY
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #143,547 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Classic Shaw performance of the B Minor Mass., October 19, 1999

By 

Roger Cutler (Houston, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: B Minor Mass (Audio CD)

I have worn out my vinyl records of this performance. The soloists are superb, particularly Adele Addison who did not record much after this. The Shaw Choral was composed of professionals and sounds it. Shaw has his usual rhythmic and tonal control -- and the result is magic.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Performance with Draw backs yes..., July 9, 2001

By 

Michael J. Parker (Winchester Va/Atlanta GA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Bach: B Minor Mass (Audio CD)

I understand that this recording sounds a little muddy, but what do you expect?! ITS A HISTORIC RECORDING! Robert Shaw and Company recorded this album in 1960. It was THE FIRST AND ONLY recording of the B Minor Mass in the USA, for years! There is a reason why it won th 1960 Grammy Award for Best Choral Recording. Robert Shaw and company went all over the country in 1960 performing this piece in Farm Houses and School Gyms. Bringing this piece of Baroque Mastery to the numberless masses. Accounts of the day talk about people waiting in lines for 10 to 12 hours to hear this group perform THIS PIECE! Dogging this recording for bad recording practices is ok. I will give you that the sound is not crystal clear. But the performance of Chours, Soloist and Orchestra are OUTSTANDING. Know why this piece and this recording had the praise and acclades it had for so long. Own this CD and Own a Piece of History!

21 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Bach's Mass in b minor, R. Shaw Chorale and Orchestra, January 5, 2000

By 

R Kriebel (Lansdale, Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: B Minor Mass (Audio CD)

Normally, the music of Bach would warrant a rating of no less that five stars. However, Robert Shaw was able to over interpret and change Bach's greatest choral work to the point that it sounds Romantic. The articulations throughout are much too legato, in both the chorus and the orchestra, and the broad ritards at the end of each and every movement get tiresome. In fact, the tempos during the entire Mass are a bit too slow. In addition to this, Shaw takes the liberty of changing several chorale sections to small vocal ensembles sections. He obviuosly does this for dynamic contrast, but it is uncharateristic. The solo work however, is beautiful. Overall, the effect is somewhat enjoyable, but if you are looking for a recording that is performed in a true Baroque style, you will want to look elsewhere.