Penderecki - Credo / Banse · Quasthoff · Randle · Rilling

Krzysztof Penderecki (Performer), Helmuth Rilling (Performer), Juliane Banse (Performer), Thomas Quasthoff (Performer), Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra & Chorus (Performer), Thomas Randle (Performer), Milagro Vargas (Performer), Marietta Simpson (Performer), Phoenix Boys Choir (Performer, Orchestra), Oregon Bach Festival Chorus (Orchestra), Juliane Banse (Orchestra), Thomas Quasthoff (Orchestra), Thomas Randle (Orchestra), Marietta Simpson (Orchestra), Milagro Vargas (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Krzysztof Penderecki, Helmuth Rilling, Juliane Banse, Thomas Quasthoff, Oregon Bach Festival Orchestra & Chorus, et al.
• Orchestra: Phoenix Boys Choir, Oregon Bach Festival Chorus, Juliane Banse, Thomas Quasthoff, Thomas Randle, et al.
• Audio CD (February 29, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Hanssler Classics
• ASIN: B00000DLZ3
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #499,053 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Credo, for soloists, boys' choir, chorus & orchestra

2. Credo, for soloists, boys' choir, chorus & orchestra

3. Credo, for soloists, boys' choir, chorus & orchestra

4. Credo, for soloists, boys' choir, chorus & orchestra

5. Credo, for soloists, boys' choir, chorus & orchestra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A masterpiece for this century in a superb recording, September 20, 2002

By 

"fj_rivera" (San Juan, PR Puerto Rico) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Penderecki - Credo / Banse · Quasthoff · Randle · Rilling (Audio CD)

In June 1999 I had the privelege of performing a recently written work by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki, under his direction. By that time I had no idea who was Penderecki, but as soon as I heard that piece I was enchanted by his music: the piece was Credo. Since then, I have been studying his art and atracted even more to his music. Credo is definitely a masterpiece for this century, from the beginning till the end. As soon as it begins, with the choir, in the powerful main theme it captures all your attention. Particularly expressive is the place where the theme comes back, with the soloists. The second movement is very beautifull and rich in textures and solo melodies that express the happening of the Lord's birth. But the focus point should be the third movement, with it's Latin, Polish and German interpolations. The quasi aria Pangue Lingua (Mz) is rich in power and virtuosity, but it is enriched by the glorious appearance of the hymn Ludu moj ludu, for me, the most beautiful moment in the whole piece. The 4th movement is incredibly dramatic and rhythmic. The 5th, brings again the main theme with virtuoso parts for the soloists. I must take notice of the powerful harmonies in the brasses in "visibilium omnium" and the beautiful melody in the choir in "unum Dominum..." After a big dramatic section, it begins to push toward the ending, only interrupted by an Alleluia in the children's choir that resembles the Gregorian chant. The finale is amazing: three big Amens, but..., wait..., a soft chord in the offstage brass remind us that Credo is supposed to be part of a BIG Mass to be completed soon. So this is not really THE END. This recording is great: the choirs, the orchestra, the soloists, the CONDUCTOR, but the one who should REALLY be praised is the composer. Bravi!

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Superb choral forces and soloists, February 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Penderecki - Credo / Banse · Quasthoff · Randle · Rilling (Audio CD)

The Credo will certainly become Penderecki's first major work to gain a large classical music audience. Under the direction of Helmuth Rilling the amazing Oregon Bach Festival Choir, the superb Phoenix Boys Choir and 5 exemplary soloists help make the convincing argument that this is Penderecki's finest work. In spite of the taxing and unfamiliar nature of his vocal writing, a few good recordings of his work for chorus are available on disk. None of these, however, have measured up to the colourful, compelling potential of his writing. The best of Penderecki has only been heard in live, but unrecorded performances--the American premier of Penderecki's Polish Requiem by the Choral Arts Society of Washington with the Krakow Philharmonic comes to mind. Now we have the first exquisite recording of Penderecki! The choral and solo singing is quite extraordinary in its effortless, transparent beauty. In the Credo we are presented a masterwork of the late 20th Century. Everything about The Haenssler disk under the direction of Helmuth Rilling is of the highest order, with the possible exception of the Festival Orchestra which plays well, but without particular distinction. This recording all but ensures the Credo's permanent place in choral-symphonic progams of the 21st Century.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Penderecki Work Magnificently Performed, May 20, 2006

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Penderecki - Credo / Banse · Quasthoff · Randle · Rilling (Audio CD)

Kudos to Helmuth Rilling and his ongoing success with the Oregon Bach Festival. This CD is the World Premiere performance and recording (1998) of the CREDO by Polish composer Krzysztof Penderecki, once the bad boy of avant garde composition in Europe. Since eclipsed by Gorecki, Lutoslawski, et at this version of the Mass is strangely romantic and quite accessible. Though one misses the originality and risks of his inimitable "St Luke Passion" and other works from his earlier years, this mighty Credo is a solid piece of workmanship that will hopefully gain more performances.

The CREDO is divided into seven sections, all under the sole Credo portion of the traditional Mass. But by dwelling on the 'I believe in one God...' Penderecki has been able to introduce a more universal appeal by using the usual Latin texts, Polish hymns, and German chorales.

The sections are as follows: I. Credo in Unum Deum, II. Qui Propter Nos Homines, III. Et Incarnatus Est, IV. Crucifixus (the central and most extended portion), V. Et Resurrexit Tertia Die, VI. Et In Spiritum Sanctum (the most 'modern' of the movements), and VII. Et Vitam Venturi Saeculi.

Penderecki's scoring is diverse, rich and satisfying both for the large orchestra and for the chorus, boy's choir and soloists. Rilling holds this work together magnificently and has graced this premiere and subsequent recording with exceptional soloists: Thomas Quasthoff (!), Marietta Simpson, Milagro Vargas, Juliane Banse, and Thomas Randle. The overall effect is an emotional one and while this is rather tame Penderecki, there is enough creative risk to make it exciting! Highly recommended. Grady Harp, May 06