Track Listing

Disc 1:

1. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Kommt, ihr Töchter
2. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Da Jesus diese Red
3. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Herzliebster Jesus
4. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Da versammelten si
5. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Ja nicht auf dem F
6. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Da nun Jesus"
7. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Wozu dienet dieser
8. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Da das Jesus merke
9. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Du lieber Heiland
10. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Buß' und Reu' "
11. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Da ging hin der Zw
12. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Blute nur, du lieb
13. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Aber am ersten Tag
14. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Wo willst du"
15. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Er sprach: Gehet h
16. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Ich bin's, ich sol
17. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Er antwortete und
18. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Wiewohl mein Herz"
19. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Ich will dir mein
20. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Und da sie den Lob
21. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Erkenne mich, mein
22. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Petrus aber antwor
23. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Ich will hier"
24. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Da kam Jesus"
25. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "O Schmerz!"
26. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Ich will bei meine
27. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Und ging hin ein w
28. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Der Heiland fällt"
29. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Gerne will ich mic
30. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Und er kam zu sein
31. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Was mein Gott will

Disc 2:

1. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Und er kam"
2. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "So ist mein Jesus
3. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "Und siehe, einer a
4. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 1.: "O Mensch, bewein'
5. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Ach, nun ist mein
6. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Die aber Jesum geg
7. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Mir hat die Welt"
8. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Und wiewohl viel f
9. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Mein Jesus schweig
10. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Geduld, wenn mich
11. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Und der Hohepriest
12. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Da speieten sie"
13. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Wer hat dich so ge
14. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Petrus aber saß dr
15. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Da hub er an, sich
16. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Erbarme dich, mein
17. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Bin ich gleich von
18. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Und er warf die Si
19. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Gebt mir meinen Je
20. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Sie hielten aber e
21. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Befiehl du deine W
22. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Auf das Fest aber
23. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Wie wunderbarlich"
24. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Der Landpfleger sa
25. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Er hat uns allen w
26. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Aus Liebe will mei

Disc 3:

1. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Sie schrieen aber
2. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Erbarm' es Gott!"
3. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Können Tränen mein
4. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Da nahmen die Krie
5. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "O Haupt voll Blut
6. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Und da sie ihn ver
7. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Ja! Freilich will
8. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Komm, süßes Kreuz"
9. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Und da sie an die
10. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Desgleichen schmäh
11. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Sehet, Jesus hat d
12. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Und von der sechst
13. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Wenn ich einmal so
14. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Und siehe da"
15. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Am Abend, da es kü
16. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Mache dich, mein H
17. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Und Joseph nahm de
18. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Nun ist der Herr z
19. St. Matthew Passion (Matthäuspassion), for soloists, double chorus & double orchestra, BWV 244 (BC D3b): Part 2.: "Wir setzen uns mit

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #200753 in Music
• Brand: Bach
• Released on: 2001-04-10
• Number of discs: 3
• Formats: Box set, Original recording remastered
• Dimensions: .50 pounds

Customer Reviews

A Sublime Acquired Taste
There's nothing at all humble me can say to the connoisseur about this composition that's not a repetition of a repetition. To the newcomer, though, some words of advice:

This is rightly considered one of, if not the best, of Bach's works. To the total newbie, Bach is rightly considered not one, but the best, of western composers. If you read my review you'll probably see why it's not a good idea to start your inquiry into Bach with this particular performance. In fact, I would recommend you start with another work, the St. John Passion, which is what I started with (if you want my advice, take the Koopman version, but I believe I'm in a minority here).

Concerning this performance:

There's a silly argument going on in the musicological world regarding the "proper" way to perform Bach's music, of which the St. Matthew Passion is a popular object.

I was fortunate to have as a teacher of Harmony and Counterpoint one Erez Rapaport, who has greatly impressed me with his hate of theory and his uncompromising demand that every decision, in composition as well as performance, be made based on what sounds best.

Arguing about what is the "real" Bach is pointless since the man is long dead. Any criticism on a performance of his work must therefore be based not on whether it conforms to some doctrine or another, but solely on how it sounds.

And this one sounds wonderful. Of course, it does take some getting used to, partly because of the slowness, the loudness and the sheer size of the performing forces, but mostly because it just takes a fair amount of time and attention to fully appreciate such an edifice of perfection. Every movement, be it chorus, recitative, arioso, aria or choral is given such minute attention, performed with such incredible skill, and played out to such dramatic extremes that it is simply more than one can take in in a first listening.

As opposed to many other lovers of this version, I haven't a word of criticism against the "historically informed" performances (which this performance was considered to be in its time - I wonder what future musicologists will think of the current holders of the title), but a person who cannot enjoy this performance, I am lead to conclude, is more in love with theory than she is with music.

Two notes:

First, this is an old recording, and therefore it is somewhat lacking. Nothing that interferes with the music, but a background hiss is audible.

Second, because of its slowness, this version of Bach's masterpiece is much longer than the others. This, of course, is of secondary importance to artistic merit, but if choosing between two versions of equal merit, doesn't the fact that the pleasure lasts longer make this performance preferable?

Authentic on its own terms
Not sure what purpose is served by using Dr. Klemperer as a stick with which to beat on the historically informed performance crowd. I would no sooner characterize their efforts as heartless than his as like that of a lumbering dinosaur.
As to brainwashing, many of my friends who are musicians and academics have both Klemperer and Gardiner's cds on their shelves. While the latter embraces a newly founded scholarly tradition which has reinvigorated the performance of baroque music, Klemperer harkens to the 19th century tradition of Mendelssohn, presenting the Passion as a monumental spectacle.
Yes, it is slow and stern, gigantic, glacial and granitic. It also features what may be the best vocal team ever heard in this work. Do take the plunge if you can bear a very slow moving yet very intense experience.

bach in slow motion
having admired some of klemperer's recordings (his fidelio is stellar!) i was tempted by this st matthew passion, but after hearing it it seems - at least in my opinion - that the 'good old days' weren't always so good. over the last 30 years our ears have been retrained into period practices for this kind of music, and klemperer's approach just will not do. this is not bach but it is brahms and wagner disguised as bach ...

the tempi are so slow that i found it partly annoying (for instance a drawn out 'mache dich mein herze rein', not even walter berry's suave singing can save the day as the orchestra just drags on and on and on). i did not see any spirituality in it and it did not move me. the chorus is huge and bombastic which renders the chorales unbearably heavy. obviously the orchestra plays very well but not in a style appropriate to the music - at least not to my ears...

the singers are a mixed lot too - elisabeth schwarzkopf was in late career mode, which means that all she did was art but little of it was pure singing, sometimes it seems as if she is meowing her way through the music (don't get me wrong, she possessed a magnificent voice and up to the mid 50's her recordings are often great but after that point she overdid the artistry and became too mannered). bach needs heartfelt simplicity and no artistic overkill. christa ludwig is magnificent but she could have been even better in a better surrounding. ditto walter berry. fischer-dieskau is fischer-dieskau but his jesus is definately a man of statue...

to sum it up ... this st matthew passion is an experience, but certainly one i don't want to experience again. for me bach needs to be crisp as to convery a spiritual mission, but klemperer's 'vision' is too sticky for my taste. i know that i will probably divide opinion on this, but after all this is my view. i am not saying that this version is bad, it is just not a version i would recommend listening to more than once...