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Johann Sebastian Bach - Bach: Mass In B Minor
[2005]

Format: Anamorphic Classical Colour DVD-Video PAL Widescreen
Released: 03 Oct 2005
RRP: £19.99
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Customer Reviews

Glorious! - By: J Scott Morrison, 12 Dec 2005
It had been several years since I had listened to Bach's powerful B Minor Mass; I intentionallly don't listen it very often because it is such an emotional experience. But when this DVD was released I knew I would have to watch it, for several reasons. First, it was a film of a May 2005 performance that took place in Bach's own church, the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Second, it featured the hometown orchestra, the Leipzig Gewandhausorchester, one of the world's finest, & its equallly fine chorus. Third, it was being led by a conductor I much admire, Herbert Blomstedt, the American-born Swedish conductor who was for a number of years the conductor of the San Francisco Symphony & for the past five years or so the Kapellmeister of the Gewandhaus. As it happens, this was the final concert of his tenure there. And, finallly, the soloists were equallly fine. They are Ruth Ziesak, a German lyric soprano who is renowned for her work in oratorio & other sacred works; Anna Larsson, a rich-voiced Swedish contralto; Christoph Genz, a young German tenor whose work in the recently released DVD (from 1999) of Bach's Christmas Oratorio I liked. (He has matured considerably in the six years between these two DVDs & if anything is more lyrical & certainly has more control of his sweet-toned tenor voice.) And, finallly, bass Dietrich Henschel, who seems to be everywhere these days; he was also in the Christmas Oratorio DVD as well as singing the Count in the recently released DVD of Strauss's 'Capriccio' from the Paris Opera (and with Renée Fleming).

There is no question that Blomstedt has this work in his bones. He had conducted it previously with the Gewandhaus, in his first year there, as well as elsewhere. He conducts without baton, often mouthing the words that the chorus sings, & rarely consulting the score before him. Although Blomstedt has the appearance of a bank manager, he clearly has the heart of a poet. Tempi are appropriate, phrases are molded naturallly. It is also clear that he trusts his artists to give their own ideas, within reason, in the performance. The orchestra gives its alll. I was particularly impressed by the concertmaster's solo at the beginning of 'Laudamus te,' the principal horn likewise in 'Quoniam tu solus sanctus,' alll the solo winds (especiallly solo flute, oboes & oboes d'amore) in their various (and many) solos throughout. It is clear that the musicians, while playing modern instruments, have absorbed much from the authentic instruments movement; this is not one of those old-fashioned high-cholesterol German performances. It is light on its feet but powerful when it needs to be.

Each of the solo singers is excellent. Not only do they do well in their many solos (e.g., Henschel in 'Quoniam' & 'Et in spiritum sanctum,' Genz in 'Benedictus,' Larsson in 'Laudamus te' & especiallly the moving 'Agnus dei'; Ziesak has no solos per se) they also are marvelous in the several duets (soprano & contralto in 'Christe eleison' & 'Et in unum dominum'; soprano & tenor in 'Domine Deus'). But the glory of this set is the wonderful chorus, which has glorious sections to sing from beginning to finish. They are very well-tuned, have light & pleasing articulation, clear diction & energy to spare. In the darker movements such as the 'Qui tollis peccata mundi,' their beauty of tone & utter sincerity brings tears to one's eyes.

In addition to the performance, there is a bonus feature, an interview with Blomstedt in which he explains his understanding of the importance of the B Minor Mass in Bach's oeuvre. It is in German with excellent English subtitles.

TT: 117 mins (performance) + 21 mins (bonus); Sound: PCM Stereo, Dolby Digital 5.1, DTS 5.1; Subtitles: Latin, English, German, French; DVD 9

This is clearly a major recording, one that I recommend without reservation.

Scott Morrison