Bach: St. John Passion; Mass in B Minor; Easter Oratorio; Ascension Oratorio [Box Set] [Box set]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Andrew Parrott (Conductor), David Thomas [bass] (Performer), Peter Kooy (Performer), Simon Grant (Performer), Stephen Charlesworth (Performer), Taverner Consort Players (Performer), Emily van Evera (Performer), Emma Kirkby (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: David Thomas [bass], Peter Kooy, Simon Grant, Stephen Charlesworth, Taverner Consort Players, et al.
• Conductor: Andrew Parrott
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (December 23, 2002)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00005UNXB
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #51,442 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #26 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Passions

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. No.1 Herr, Unser Herscher

2. No.2a Jesus Ging Mit Seinen Jungern/No.2b Jesum Von Nazareth/No.2c Jesus Spricht Zu Ihnen/No.2d Jesum Von Nazareth/No.2e Jesus Antwortet

3. No.3 O GroBe Lieb

4. Auf Dass Das Wort Erfullet Wurde

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. No.15 Christus, Der Uns Selig Macht

2. No.16a Da Fuhreten Sie Jesum/No.16b Ware Dieser Nicht Ein Ubeltater/No.16c Da Sprach Pilatus Zu Ihnen/No.16d Wir Durfen Niemand Toten/No.16e Auf Dass Erfullet Wurde

3. No.17 Ach, GroBer Konig

4. No.18a Da Sprach Pilatus Zu Ihm/No.18b Nicht Siesen, Sondern Barrabam/No.18c Barrabas Aber War Ein Morder

See all 26 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. Sinfonia - Charles Daniels

2. Adagio - Charles Daniels

3. Kommt, Eilet Und Laufet - Charles Daniels

4. O Kalter Manner Sinn! - Charles Daniels

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 4

1. Kyrie Eleison

2. Christe Eleison - Emma Kirkby

3. Kyrie Eleison

4. Gloria In Excelsis Deo

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Disc: 5

1. Credo In Unum Deum

2. Patrem Omnipotentem

3. Et In Unum Dominum - Panito Iconomou

4. Et Incarnatus Est

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One-voice-per-part in all its glory, March 6, 2003

By 

Heath E Morber (Ava, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: St. John Passion; Mass in B Minor; Easter Oratorio; Ascension Oratorio [Box Set] (Audio CD)

Pick up this set. When I saw the ... price on these gems, I immediately ordered it. Andrew Parrott is a wonderful conductor who subscribes to the theory that Bach intended his choral music to be sung with one voice on a part. Quite a contrast to many recordings out there with 50+ on a part. Along with everyone else, I was a bit leery of this approach but wait until you hear these results! His performance of the mass is absolutely breathtaking! Rifkin recorded the mass OVPP but some of the soloists were a bit weak, especially compared to Parrott's soloists. I picked up this one and the Herreweghe recording of the mass (considered to be the best in many circles) around the same time and I found myself continually coming back to this one. The clarity of the vocal lines is wonderful. Some of the fugal lines get lost in Herreweghe's approach but not in Parrott's recording. You can follow each wonderful line from beginning to end. Parrott's soloists have a very clear, non-"operatic", beautiful sound that tunes so well (rare in OVPP works in my opinion). This is what makes the choral sections work so well--lack of excessive vibrato that makes Bach's musical lines unfold beautifully. The solo sections are just as impressive. The only beef I have with the recording is Parrott's use of a boy alto. An admirable job in most respects but he just can't quite match the maturity of the other voices.
The St. John's Passion is almost as remarkable. The choral singing is delightful and the soloists are again excellent. When you get these two landmark recordings plus The Easter and Ascension Oratorios to boot, the price is mind-boggling. I would pay this price for the mass alone. Highest recommendation.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Bach, January 11, 2005

By 

Le Frisson (England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Bach: St. John Passion; Mass in B Minor; Easter Oratorio; Ascension Oratorio [Box Set] (Audio CD)

Went looking for the Mass only, but got the whole box set at roughly the same price. Sure I'm not complaining.

If you like Rifkin's earlier and almost equally exciting version, this is your thing! Apparently Bach would endorse the use of boy alto for the performance. On the whole the performance was more rugged, and therefore more real than ever. The tempi are subtle and the instruments sound lean yet powerful. A mustbuy.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Bach, October 7, 2004

By 

Eric Bergerud (Albany, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Bach: St. John Passion; Mass in B Minor; Easter Oratorio; Ascension Oratorio [Box Set] (Audio CD)

I must agree with the other reviewer that this is a great collection. However, I like the presence of the boy alto in the Mass. Bach composed most of his religious works for a boys choir but you wouldn't guess it from looking at most recordings. To the best of my knowledge this Mass is the only recording out there that is both OVPP and includes a boy soloist. It works for me.