Customer Reviews

High Mass Coronation Celebrated by Pope John Paul (Mozart)

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

 

 

Musically this DVD is of superb quality. Von Karajan's conducting is - as usual - fantastic; the vocals are strong and without the shrill whine that passes for singing in too many performances these days (why do modern composers feel the need to use choirs composed mainly of squeaky voiced pre teens); the Orchestra is in great form; and the photography is very well done. Catholics will probably have no problem in following the Mass and relating it to the music, but people unfamiliar with the Catholic Eucharist will find themselves lost at time. The written notes on the performance are useless and I suggest that sacred music specialists will find reading Nel's article on Mozart's Coronation Mass much more useful.

This DVD is a must for any Mozart fan, and any Karajan fan.
As usual the video and the music, are carefully edited.
Strongly recomend it.

Wonderful to see the Coronation Mass sung in a liturgical context, though the focus in the video is on the music (naturally), rather than the pope celebrating Mass. Very moving nontheless. Not only is Karajan a great performer; John Paul is pretty impressive, too!

For those expecting a complete Liturgy will understand why time constraints omitted only the lengthiest of prayers and actions. The choir and orchestra performed their very best -away from home and being positioned so closely to the 50,000 other people in the St. Peter's Basilica.

A bonus to this event is in hearing Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus" sung by the Sistine Choir and a brief view of them in their place. Their singing is very well articulated and a good contrast to the Berlin Philharmonic Choir.

All know now that this was Von Karajan's last performance in life and for the H.von K. watchers it makes the whole presentation come together. B.P. John Paul II (now called 'Blessed' made this entire Mass possible -for without him. it would not have been so.

Catholic watchers might ask why H.V.K did not receive communion. As a non-Catholic (read Wikipedia article) he observed the stricture which allows only baptized Catholics to receive The Body and Blood of Jesus. The Pope gave him a blessing (usual for non-communicants in line with other recipients).

The entire Mozart was splendid. In fact, in comparison to the instrumentation vs. the organ for which Mozart wrote his Masses it was a splendid presentation.

The shots of the Basilica interior are gorgeous.

An added treat is at the conclusion where John Paul walks down the stairway and kneels in prayer at the tomb of St. Peter (authenticated by science) .

For those expecting a complete Liturgy will understand why time limits the lengthiest of prayers and actions.

The choir and orchestra performed their very best -away from home and being positioned so closely to the 50,000 other people in the St. Peter's Basilica.

A bonus to this event is in hearing Mozart's "Ave Verum Corpus" sung by the Sistine Choir. Their singing is very well articulated and a good contrast to the Berlin Philharmonic Choir.

All know now that this was Von Karajan's last performance in life and for the H. von K. watchers it makes the whole presentation come together. B.P. John Paul II (now called 'Blessed' made this entire Mass possible -for without him. it would not have been so.

Catholic watchers might ask why H.V.K did not receive communion. As a non-Catholic (read Wikipedia article) he observed the stricture which allows only baptized Catholics to receive The Body and Blood of Jesus. The Pope gave him a blessing (usual for non-communicants.).

The entire Mozart was splendid. In fact, in comparison to the instrumentation vs. the organ for which Mozart wrote his Masses.

The shots of the Basilica interior are gorgeous and an added treat is at the conclusion where John Paul walks down the stairway to the tomb of St. Peter (authenticated within the last century) and kneels in prayer.

I have written and videoed a companion to these comments which is free for the asking:

INFO4U2C2000-MUSIC@yahoo.com

Mr. K at the front of the podium conducted Mozart's Coronation mass inside the imposing San Peter basilica with his accustomed Apollonian gesture. With a camera depicting his best angles.

Kathleen Battle is lovable as always, accompanied by this remarkable Vienesse choir.

Haunting and touching mass.

this is a music created by the soul of the musician and infortunali are the last ones in this cane a music the director of the orquesta was simply perfet and the singuers also inmaculate presentation.

I was expecting more than one number by Miss Battle. But I must admit that her only appearance was worth the DVD.
As far as Karajan... and the Viena Opera Ballet and the Spanish Horses.... second to none. What a show!