Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #64172 in Music
• Released on: 2002-01-08
• Number of discs: 2
• Format: Import

Amazon.com
Philippe Herreweghe uses the second of Bach's four versions of the St. John Passion, the one from 1725, which substitutes some of the arias and the opening chorus, along with lesser changes. The result is somewhat more dramatic than the standard version, which Herreweghe recorded previously. Those familiar with the conductor's work will find his usual warmth, making the most of the lyric moments, but they'll also find greater sensitivity to rhythmic and dramatic thrust and a generally livelier approach. The singers are uniformly fine. Padmore is an unusually effective Evangelist, projecting the drama without undue overacting. Many will want this for Andreas Scholl's countertenor solos, which are first-rate, but the magnificent "Es ist vollbracht" will disappoint those familiar with the greater depth of renditions by contraltos like Maureen Forrester and Janet Baker. Bright-voiced soprano Sibylla Rubens is another attraction, singing with fervor, and the orchestra and chorus of the Collegium Vocale Ghent are outstanding. This attractively packaged set goes to the head of the class. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews

Where's the opening chorus?
I love Bach's music and his religiously based pieces are definitely some of my favorite. However, the one piece that turned me on to the Johanne's Passion was missing in this rendition. While it is a well-produced production, my whole point of buying it was to hear their version of the Herr, unser, Herr chorus part, which is not included. It's one of those pieces that sticks with you. If you do not care for that piece, by all means buy this product! But at the price I paid for it, I would expect the opening chorus to be included. That is why I give it three stars

The best ST John Passion ever, but...
This is far, the best ST John Passion interpretation I've ever heard, but! the usual first mov. "Herr! Unser Herrscher!" is missing in this "second of four versions" among the John's Passion by Bach. Needless to say, I was very disappointed, because one-third of the reason I bought this CDs was because I wanted to hear Herreweghe's interpretation of that particular movement. If you are planning to purchase this recording with similar expectation, you will be somewhat disappointed.

The "Other" St. John Passion
Packaged similarly to his immortal release of the St. Matthew Passion, Herreweghe follows-up with the St. John Passion, and this recording has all the beauty and drive and fire as it's sister recording.

Released just last month (Jan 2002), it has already achieved critical acclaim. The Collegium Vocale is such an astounding choir and the Herreweghe's orchestra is admirably full of clean virtuosic ability. They are complemented by Harmonia Mundi's unbelievably clear sound quality.

Out of a sea of boringly similar recordings of Johannespassion (Gardiner, Koopman, Harnoncourt, etc.) emerges a once-again triumphant Herreweghe. The tempos are intellegently chosen and once more, his approach of legato is what makes this new set such a success.

It is lively and contemplative. It is never tedious for a minute. Herreweghe has a very nice approach to music of any period.

The Evangelist is very good, but most would be wondering of the whereabouts of Ian Bostridge. After all, he was the star of Harmonia Mundi's St. Matthew Passion. We will all miss him whole heartedly on this recording. Alto Andreas Scholl is again a winner. His heartwrenching/heroic "Es Ist Vollbracht" is my favorite (next to Ingeborg Danz on Rilling's Johannespassion).

The Johannespassion was written originally in 1724. This is the version we hear today. A year later, Bach, unwilling to release to the public the same Passion two years in a row, attempted to compose an oratorio Passion with a libretto by Picander. Sadly, he was so pressed for time he ended this endeavor before it started. Instead, as a rather sneaky coverup, edited the Johannespassion, replacing the first chorus, last chorale, and four specific arias. The final product was actually much better and more dramatic than the original.

This record is of the second of four versions of the Johannespassion. Unfortunately, because of this, there is no powerful "Herr! Unser Herrscher!" to open the Passion. Instead we have the somewhat tranquil chorale setting of "O Mensch Bewein dein Suende Gross" that we usually hear concluding the first part of Matthauspassion. Once we get over this oddity, hearing this chorale arrangement to open Johannespassion is a wonderful and welcome surprise.

*BUT* don't let this bother you, because we also gain four better, but rarely heard, arias that Bach omitted from the final version and replaced with the less eventful arias we often hear in the standard version. My favorite "new" aria is "Himmel Reisse" for Bass and a soprano chorus that sings the chorale "Jesu, Deine Passion" at the same time. This Part One aria has the same effect as its Part Two counterpart "Mein Trauer Heiland" scored also for bass and chorus. They fit together in the score like puzzle pieces. In effect, this version, presented by Herreweghe, is more united and complete in sound.

We also get the Bach's original Finale Chorale, "Christe, Du Lamm Gottes." Hearing the Johannespassion that Bach edited for 1725 is a great way to explore Bach, especcially with this new sure-to-be classic standard set.

This is a very good Box Set of one of the most perfect and consistently satisfying Johannespassions I've heard. STRONGLY Reccomended!