J.S. Bach: Matthäus-Passion [Import]

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Masaaki Suzuki (Conductor, Performer), Bach Collegium Japan Orchestra (Orchestra, Conductor), Midori Suzuki (Performer), Nancy Argenta (Performer), Yoshie Hida (Performer), Gerd Turk (Performer), Makoto Sakurada (Performer), Bach Collegium Japan (Artist), Masaaki Suzuki (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Masaaki Suzuki, Midori Suzuki, Nancy Argenta, Yoshie Hida, Gerd Turk, et al.
• Orchestra: Bach Collegium Japan Orchestra
• Conductor: Masaaki Suzuki, Bach Collegium Japan Orchestra
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
• Audio CD (February 14, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 3
• Format: Import
• Label: Bis
• ASIN: B000046S1M
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,392 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #73 in Music > Classical > Opera & Vocal > Vocal Non-Opera > Passions

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1. 1. Chor Mit Choral.

2. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1. 2. Rezitativ. Da Jes

3. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1. 3. Choral. Hersliebs

4. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1. 4a. Rezitativ. Da v

5. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1. 4b. Chor. Ja nicht a

6. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1. 4c. Rezitativ. Da nu

See all 38 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 30. Arie. Ach! nun i

2. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 31. Rezitativ. Die a

3. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 32. Choral. Mir hat

4. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 33. Rezitativ. Und w

5. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 34. Rezitativ. Mein

6. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 35. Arie. Geduld! We

See all 36 tracks on this disc

Disc: 3

1. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 55. Rezitativ. Und d

2. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 56. Rezitativ. Jafre

3. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 57. Arie. Komm süßes

4. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 58a. Rezitativ. Und

5. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 58b. Chor. Der du de

6. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2. 58c. Rezitativ. Desg

See all 25 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

From the first few seconds of the opening chorus, it's obvious that Masaaki Suzuki's reading of the St. Matthew Passion isn't after the vivid sacred drama that John Eliot Gardiner or even Philippe Herreweghe go for--or the long-winded Teutonic gloom so often found in performances of earlier generations. Suzuki seems to be approaching the St. Matthew as an occasion for devout contemplation of the Passion story rather than a reenactment of that story as music drama. There are some ferocious outbursts from the choir in the crowd scenes, but elsewhere there's gentleness, even delicacy, throughout this performance. Suzuki's marvelous Evangelist, Gerd Türk, seems to give a meditative retelling of the Passion story rather than a theatrical narration: he's extraordinarily sensitive to the nuances of the text and melody--in particular, his moments without accompaniment are breathtaking. (If you want high drama from your Evangelist, however, you'll do better with Herreweghe's Ian Bostridge.) The soloists in the arias are quite respectable (if not quite on Türk's level): very attuned to melodic contour--that is, to making music out of the melodies--but seemingly less concerned with making a strong emotional impact (no doubt a reflection of Suzuki's devotional conception of the performance). Soprano Nancy Argenta sounds somewhat shakier here than she did in the 1980s and 1990s, while countertenor Robin Blaze sounds more vocally and artistically mature with each new recording he makes. To those who look forward mainly to the churning emotion that can be found in this music, the Bach Collegium Japan's performance may seem dull, but (as with their St. John Passion) on its own terms, it's both filled with musical beauty and suffused with genuine spiritual devotion. --Matthew Westphal

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A leader of the pack..., June 10, 2000

By 

Guy Cutting - See all my reviews

This review is from: J.S. Bach: Matthäus-Passion (Audio CD)

J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion is one of the highest achievements of western composition but also of humanity as a whole. It is an essential component of any classical collection (or any collection for that matter). Also, depending on what the listener is prepared to put into the listening experience it can be intensely moving and fulfilling (its length only contributing to the experience). If you don't own a recording of this work already, this recording is a good choice for you. I'll put it in the context of the other recordings I'm familiar with: one recording conducted by Herreweghe and another by Klemperer. Herreweghe's is more dramatic, which is a good or bad thing depending on your perspective. It is probably the best choice for first exposure to the SMP because of that drama - it is a more engaging first experience. But Suzuki's version here has its own set of merits. The tempi are generally brisk (like Herreweghe's) but in a few important places (such as Kommt, ihr tochter, the opening chorus) the pace is slightly slower, giving the listener a better chance to keep pace with this enourmously intricate double choir section. Suzuki's comments in the liner notes (but more importantly his interpretive decisions) indicate that his focus here is contemplation and devotion. The evangelist, Gerd Turk, preserves a sense of understatement in this music (I mean that as a compliment) - his performance is, I think, more in keeping with the sense of the work than is Bostridge's (under Herreweghe). Peter Kooij is an excellent soloist, though I think I slightly prefer the sound of Franz-Josef Selig on the other recording. The choral sound here is good - clean and focused (slightly more, in places, than in the Herreweghe). The balance with the orchestra is good. The remaining soloists are all solid. On an aesthetic level I dislike the "period instrument" sound and musicologically I reject the authenticist position, but if you prefer that approach then this recording is for you. If not, then Klemperer's recording (from 1962 I think) would be my choice (read my review of that recording for more information). But even so I can gladly recommend Suzuki's recording. If you don't own a recording of this work, this one is a fine choice. If you are looking for another recording, this one offers some things that others don't and is a worthwhile buy.

14 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wow!, March 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: J.S. Bach: Matthäus-Passion (Audio CD)

A stunning achievement. This, and Gardiner's recording on Archive/DGG, are superb. Where Suzuki has the edge is in the overall dramatic sweep. The recitatives come alive in this performance.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars exceptional, April 26, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: J.S. Bach: Matthäus-Passion (Audio CD)

The whole disc gives great pleasure. The soundtrack is outstanding.The german language comes out well. Like the St.John's Passion by the same group, it is a great musical experience.