Qty:1
& FREE Shipping on orders over $49. Details
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.
St Matthew Passion has been added to your Cart
Want it Thursday, April 21? Order within and choose Two-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

Ship to:
To see addresses, please
or
Please enter a valid US zip code.
or
FREE Shipping on orders over $49. Details
Condition: Used: Very Good
Comment: Item may come repackaged. Missing shrink-wrap, activation codes for bonus online content may be missing or expired.

Sorry, there was a problem.

There was an error retrieving your Wish Lists. Please try again.

Sorry, there was a problem.

List unavailable.
Sell yours for a Gift Card
We'll buy it for up to $0.40
Learn More
Trade in now
Other Sellers on Amazon
51 used & new from $5.47
Have one to sell? Sell on Amazon

St Matthew Passion

4.3 out of 5 stars 34 customer reviews

See all 2 formats and editions Hide other formats and editions
Listen Now with Prime Music Join Prime Prime Members
Bach: Saint Matthew Passion, BWV 244
"Please retry"
Streaming 
Price
New from Used from
Audio CD, February 16, 1999
"Please retry"
$16.48
$11.60 $5.47
Includes FREE MP3 version of this album.
Provided by Amazon Digital Services LLC. Terms and Conditions. Does not apply to gift orders.
Complete your purchase to save the MP3 version to your music library.
$16.48 & FREE Shipping on orders over $49. Details In Stock. Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Frequently Bought Together

  • St Matthew Passion
  • +
  • J. S. Bach: St. John Passion
  • +
  • Bach: St. Matthew Passion
Total price: $49.65
Buy the selected items together

Special Offers and Product Promotions


  • Sample this album Artist - Artist (Sample)
1
30
7:45
Play in Library $1.98
 
2
30
0:58
Play in Library $0.99
 
3
30
1:19
Play in Library $0.99
 
4
30
0:32
Play in Library $0.99
 
5
30
0:13
Play in Library $0.99
 
6
30
0:15
Play in Library $0.99
 
7
30
0:17
Play in Library $0.99
 
8
30
1:53
Play in Library $0.99
 
9
30
0:11
Play in Library $0.99
 
10
30
1:17
Play in Library $0.99
 
11
30
3:52
Play in Library $0.99
 
12
30
1:43
Play in Library $0.99
 
13
30
3:25
Play in Library $0.99
 
14
30
1:23
Play in Library $0.99
 
15
30
1:40
Play in Library $0.99
 
16
30
1:27
Play in Library $0.99
 
17
30
1:53
Play in Library $0.99
 
18
30
2:00
Play in Library $0.99
 
19
30
3:07
Play in Library $0.99
 
20
30
5:06
Play in Library $0.99
 
21
30
1:01
Play in Library $0.99
 
22
30
1:32
Play in Library $0.99
 
23
30
4:29
Play in Library $0.99
 
24
30
1:43
Play in Library $0.99
 
25
30
1:37
Play in Library $0.99
 
26
30
3:01
Play in Library $0.99
 
27
30
4:49
Play in Library $0.99
 
28
30
1:51
Play in Library $0.99
 
29
30
8:41
Play in Library $1.98
 
30
30
4:06
Play in Library $0.99
 
31
30
1:20
Play in Library $0.99
 
32
30
0:10
Play in Library $0.99
 
33
30
1:30
Play in Library $0.99
 
Disc 2
1
30
6:37
Play in Library $0.99
 
2
30
1:50
Play in Library $0.99
 
3
30
0:49
Play in Library $0.99
 
4
30
0:05
Play in Library $0.99
 
5
30
0:16
Play in Library $0.99
 
6
30
0:21
Play in Library $0.99
 
7
30
0:14
Play in Library $0.99
 
8
30
1:30
Play in Library $0.99
 
9
30
5:29
Play in Library $0.99
 
10
30
0:04
Play in Library $0.99
 
11
30
0:21
Play in Library $0.99
 
12
30
0:27
Play in Library $0.99
 
13
30
1:39
Play in Library $0.99
 
14
30
0:39
Play in Library $0.99
 
15
30
0:10
Play in Library $0.99
 
16
30
0:19
Play in Library $0.99
 
17
30
3:28
Play in Library $0.99
 
18
30
2:24
Play in Library $0.99
 
19
30
1:34
Play in Library $0.99
 
20
30
3:11
Play in Library $0.99
 
21
30
1:26
Play in Library $0.99
 
22
30
0:04
Play in Library $0.99
 
23
30
0:16
Play in Library $0.99
 
24
30
0:08
Play in Library $0.99
 
25
30
0:28
Play in Library $0.99
 
26
30
2:23
Play in Library $0.99
 
27
30
1:22
Play in Library $0.99
 
28
30
0:29
Play in Library $0.99
 
29
30
0:43
Play in Library $0.99
 
30
30
2:21
Play in Library $0.99
 
31
30
7:08
Play in Library $1.98
 
32
30
2:53
Play in Library $0.99
 
33
30
9:12
Play in Library $1.98
 
34
30
16:16
Play in Library $2.97
 

Product Details

  • Performer: The Collegiate Chorale, Charles Bressler, Betty Allen, William Wildermann, Adele Addison, et al.
  • Orchestra: New York Philharmonic
  • Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
  • Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach
  • Audio CD (February 16, 1999)
  • Number of Discs: 2
  • Label: Sony Classical
  • Run Time: 153 minutes
  • ASIN: B00000I0W3
  • Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #70,168 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Top Customer Reviews

By J. C. Woods on June 11, 2000
Format: Audio CD
The linear notes tell us: "Leonard Bernstien did not record a great deal of baroque music. His career blossumed at precisely the same time big-orchestra performances of Bach and Handel were falling into a curious disrepute." Not so curious if you ask me. Getting the NYPO to play baroque is a bit like getting an elephant to dance en point. I really shouldn't criticize: the fact Bernstein could get the elephant up at all shows his genius. Anyway, I cannot believe the total difference between this recording and the Koopman or the Herrewege is simply that this is in English and the others are in German. Is German a prettier language than English? I think not. Certainly understanding the language is helpful. Maybe the translation is bad. Is it the cutting of the Passion? Bernstein loses the anointing of the feet at Bethany and thereby loses one of my favorite Arias "Bub und Reu." Is that what I find so disappointing? I don't know. All I know is I feel a lightness in other interpretations I miss here. This is purely subjective, I gladly admit. Perhaps had a known this interpretation first and followed it up with the Koopman or the Herrewege I would have an entirely difference assessment.
1 Comment 16 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Audio CD Verified Purchase
I've waited 20 years to find this re-release of a 60's recording that I'd worn out 2 sets of LPs playing. In my view this is one of Bernstein's finest- every tempo, every dynamic, every nuance flows from his soul to his baton and to the orchestra, chorus, and soloists. Certainly not for the purists given the cuts and modern orchestral treatment, but for pure listening bliss this is the recording to own. His (all too) brief explanation of this work at the end exposes his emotional involvement with this masterful music and is a delightful bonus that was originally included as a 7" LP in the set. Bravo to Sony for their Bernstein re-release program!
Comment 15 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Audio CD
This is one the great choral works of all time and to be able to hear it in English by an ensemble such as this is an experience no one should miss. The explanation by the conductor at the end of the work is enlightening and adds greatly to the enjoyment of this wonderful musical work.
Comment 9 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
By A Customer on March 23, 2002
Format: Audio CD
The true test of this recording is comparing the last chorus with other versions by Klemperer, Gardiner, Ritcher, Koopman, et al. Why?
Because Bach was wrenching all the drama he could from that last
expression of the sorrow of life of Jesus. "Wir setzen uns mit Tranen nieder" says it all. And Bernstein's version comes in at the slowest.
Over nine minutes! Koopman at six. And the cold, heartless Gardiner
even faster. Gardiner has no concept of the meaning and glorious
passion in this music. Don't buy his Bach recordings. Listen only to
this last chorus' first phrase and how gut-wrenching it is! Bernstein
understood this great masterpiece, and his version is worth buying
just for this chorus.
Comment 43 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Audio CD
Music is a dynamic art and must adapt in many ways with each individual performance. I really don't place much value in the effort to perform a composition only by the "original" or "period" standards. If one lays aside such bias, one may experience the muscial beauty and spiritual blessing of this performance of a sacred classic. I speak German as a second language, but thoroughly enjoyed hearing it in English. After all, one's mother tongue is always a more powerful medium. English draws us closer to the message of Christ's atoning death which Bach sought to share in this masterpiece. This recording is very passionate and moving. Kudos also to the staff at Sony who remastered the originals onto CD. I had no idea that the performance was from the early 60's until I read it. The sound quality is tops.
Comment 9 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
Format: Audio CD Verified Purchase
This is a marvelous performance which breathes life and despair from beginning to end. Bernstein's reading must take its place alongside the Klemperer recording as the most moving performance of the work in the catalog. Although I admire the period performance by Gardiner, this recording is not shackled by an academic straight jacket of politically correct "authentic" instruments. Bernstein once again brought out the best in the musicians under his baton. His brief dissertation on the work is of course compelling, especially his comments on the opening chorus.
Comment 10 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse
By A Customer on August 31, 2000
Format: Audio CD
I bought this version of the St. Matthew Passion because it is sung in English, and there are few recordings of this Passion in English. Initially, I was somewhat disappointed. Being recorded live, the blemishes in ensemble and singing are caught, and it is a shame so many arias are not included (due to the nature of the performance). Nonetheless, upon repeated listenings, I find myself enjoying this St. Matthew more and more. What became clearer to me now is that Bernstein's personal commitment and (forgive me) passion lifts the performance, and while this is by no means a purist's version, it is a long way from the plodding and mannered performances of the old German school. This is a hard performance to recommend without reservation; if you are retentive about period performance practices or unable to live without the missing arias, this is not the CD for you. If, you are a Bernstein fan or just prefer Bach sung in English, this is a good purchase.
2 Comments 7 people found this helpful. Was this review helpful to you? Yes No Sending feedback...
Thank you for your feedback.
Sorry, we failed to record your vote. Please try again
Report abuse

Most Recent Customer Reviews


Set up an Amazon Giveaway

St Matthew Passion
Amazon Giveaway allows you to run promotional giveaways in order to create buzz, reward your audience, and attract new followers and customers. Learn more
This item: St Matthew Passion


What Other Items Do Customers Buy After Viewing This Item?