Sang this as a soprano many ( 70) years ago at St Pauls cathedral in London as part of the special services choir. I took part every Easter for seven years as a boy. This was my favourite chorus. As soon as 'Moon and stars ' you felt the exitment rising. The St Matthew passion remains one of my favourites and I seek out performances wherever I can.
First time I heard this version it struck me the organ part at 04:43, right after that rest... It goes really well with the words too, sets the mood magnificently!
the organ is definitely dominant but in my opinion this is one of the details which makes it one of the most beautiful bach recordings I have ever heard...
I'm sorry, but after listening to Sir John Elliot Gardiner's version so often and being touched by its beauty so many times, I can't enjoy this anymore. It's a universe of difference.
But I do understand that people who don't know the good versions of this music still enjoy it, as this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music in classical music history :-)
I agree with Sisury. The chorus should sing "Laßt ihn, haltet, bindet nicht!" way more aggressive and slightly quicker. It's a bit too tame to my liking. Awesome music, love it.
Too many nitpickers commenting on these classical performances. Apparently they think there is only one acceptable performance of a work of Western Classical Music. Well then, go listen to it.
I enjoy this performance although nothing compares to the version of the Thomanerchor from 1998 - but I like the "heavyness" of this interpretation, quite different from all the other versions
I think you are pretty cool in saying that you like the Gardiner version and at the same time say that you can understand people who don't know the good versions of this music can still enjoy it. I absolutely agree with you. I myself would prefer the Gardiner (since it is on period instruments) than this version with contemporary instruments and not to mention the heavy use of vibrato. It is (indeed as you said) a universe of difference. More power to you.
Some of these clips from this performance are absolutely spell-binding and this one nearly is.These top-notch performers almost overcome the cripplingly slow tempo but it is doomed from the start. I think the ideal tempo is set by Munchinger in 1964 with Ameling and Hoffgen. Some more recent performances err to the other extreme, losing all the tension to breathless urgency. All opinion , of course. Never saw Helen Donath before, though I have several recordings, quite a beauty -also opinion!
@alipitogen I've listened once more, and in case anyone picks me up on this, I realise that the Munchinger recording I mentioned does not move all that much more quickly.The difference is more that this seems to drag while Munchinger's seems more driven and flowing.
I have sung the complete St.Matthew Passion and I also know something about baroque style. The Richter version of this piece is, despite it was recorded long ago, anoying, cold, metric, bitter, slow, without the correct swing and dinamic Bach deserve. It's only an opinion. Please hear the McCreesh version with Kozena for example. THAT'S a good version.
The choir is really good and the soloists do a great job. The only bad thing is the organ which is a bit too dominant during the part "Sind Blitze und Donner in Wolken verschwunden".
This orchestra sounds exactly like a Midi-file, with about as much expressive range. And the way they shout each syllable... "SIND BLI-TZÄ, SIND DON-NAH"... ghastly!
Excellent description! You forgot to mention the organ that was taken straight from the merry-go round at the carnival. Bach turns and tosses in his grave every time we play a Richter recording.
@@toonieven Oh yeah, how could I neglect to mention that staccatissimo tinnitus which defies all definitions of "taste" or "elegance", noisily missing its mark like an imperial stormtrooper on his worst day...!?
I remain so fervently untouched by any of Richter’s orchestral recordings. His devotion to strict tempo makes for virtuosic and impressive playing in his Brandenburg concerto recordings, but dull, tiresome and boring repertoire in his greater orchestral recordings. The lack of historical inspiration or really any major interpretation makes for a dreary and tiresome performance that hath remained in the past, and rightfully so, for there is no longer any place for this kind of shallow and blind performance work in the world of classical music today, where artistic directors and conductors ought to be praised for their scholarly work and devotion to their historical interpretation!
Ah, the good old times when Bach was performed by musicians with guts! I want to hear something like this live. I don't care for the period crap people are throwing around today as an excuse for the boring meaningless shit they do on stage. Especially singing. The anemic white lifeless delusional singing being done today and being sold as authentic Bach or whatever is crap and only promoted by people who have no idea what a human voice should really sound like and how it sounded like in the time when instruments competed with the voice, and not the other way around as early music non-specialists want you to believe. Thankfully we have recordings such as this one.
Very nice, and congratulations to all involved, but one really needs to have a topo-level boy and men choir. The Thomanerchor 1998 is, IMO, currently the best version available. ua-cam.com/video/iso-MR1tV8U/v-deo.html
This interpretation reminds me of a clock accurate but not feeling. And in the last chorus the organ sounds horrible. In particular I prefer Bach with boychoirs....But I've heard versions whit adult choirs very beautiful. Nothing personal but this version is bad. Greetings.
I feel like the oboes are way to loud in this rendition and the tempo is far too slow. Julia Hamarai is decent but Helen Donath is just kind of mediocre.
Sang this as a soprano many ( 70) years ago at St Pauls cathedral in London as part of the special services choir.
I took part every Easter for seven years as a boy. This was my favourite chorus. As soon as 'Moon and stars ' you felt the exitment rising. The St Matthew passion remains one of my favourites and I seek out performances wherever I can.
First time I heard this version it struck me the organ part at 04:43, right after that rest... It goes really well with the words too, sets the mood magnificently!
Laßt ihn, haltet, bindet nicht!
JUST AMAZING...
Greatest music ever
Scared? There is no reason to be scared about this wonderful piece of music!
This is an exquisite interpretation that you can see the Bach's music power that can be performed in anyway perfectly
yes really, so powerful cann't stop emotions, this is absolute beauty....
the organ is definitely dominant but in my opinion this is one of the details which makes it one of the most beautiful bach recordings I have ever heard...
Well the organ was his instrument.
The instrument of Big Karl was the harpsichord. In fact, the organ could be easier in this music.
This was divine and humbling
Schön.
4:05 ... etwas langsam, aber die Genialität von Bachs Kompositionsgenie lässt einem eine Gänsehaut aufkommen.. Sehr gut gesungen !!!
Unterm Dirigat von Karajan war das Tempo in diesem Stück DEUTLICH langsamer.
Omg, no need for instruments, their voices are so powerful, awesome.
Bach is Bach...no matter how different people will play his music:-)
0:00 27a. Arie S, A & Chor I "So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen"
4:05 27b. Chor II "Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden"
Its difficult not believe in God after Bach.
I'm sorry, but after listening to Sir John Elliot Gardiner's version so often and being touched by its beauty so many times, I can't enjoy this anymore. It's a universe of difference.
But I do understand that people who don't know the good versions of this music still enjoy it, as this is one of the most beautiful pieces of music in classical music history :-)
I don't really like Bach, since we had began learning this whole stuff... But I just can't get this piece out of my head! :D
u really don't know him then - because there is a lot of this in Bach
I hope you love Bach by now! 😀
I agree with Sisury. The chorus should sing "Laßt ihn, haltet, bindet nicht!" way more aggressive and slightly quicker. It's a bit too tame to my liking. Awesome music, love it.
❤️
This is simply marvelous... top!
@Samztrades: me too! That's what I like about Richter: he was an organ player, and you can hear that he liked it.
Good Lord... 💎 🙏
L'un des passages les plus opératiques de ce chef-d'œuvre.
Splendid.
Too many nitpickers commenting on these classical performances. Apparently they think there is only one acceptable performance of a work of Western Classical Music. Well then, go listen to it.
….I agree whole heartedly, especially the first part…!RDS
I enjoy this performance although nothing compares to the version of the Thomanerchor from 1998 - but I like the "heavyness" of this interpretation, quite different from all the other versions
Sind Blitze was made to be EXACTLY a heavy music =)
4:05 Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden
cheers my friend! despite of that i can not understand deutch, i am sure you wrote some warm words, as you like Bach music as I do :)
I think you are pretty cool in saying that you like the Gardiner version and at the same time say that you can understand people who don't know the good versions of this music can still enjoy it. I absolutely agree with you. I myself would prefer the Gardiner (since it is on period instruments) than this version with contemporary instruments and not to mention the heavy use of vibrato. It is (indeed as you said) a universe of difference. More power to you.
Two beautiful women in the world, thank
Zum Niederknien!
Richter !!
Grandios.
If you ever have the thought in your brain of "what do seventh chords sound like" it's that second part with the double chorus.
Some of these clips from this performance are absolutely spell-binding and this one nearly is.These top-notch performers almost overcome the cripplingly slow tempo but it is doomed from the start. I think the ideal tempo is set by Munchinger in 1964 with Ameling and Hoffgen. Some more recent performances err to the other extreme, losing all the tension to breathless urgency. All opinion , of course. Never saw Helen Donath before, though I have several recordings, quite a beauty -also opinion!
Yeah, the tempo is very slow although I don't condemn it entirely. Listen to the one with Emma Kirkby and Michael Chance, that one is better.
@WinGeorgia actually its not classical but baroque music..
@alipitogen I've listened once more, and in case anyone picks me up on this, I realise that the Munchinger recording I mentioned does not move all that much more quickly.The difference is more that this seems to drag while Munchinger's seems more driven and flowing.
Listen to Harnoncourt once and you cannot go back to this. This is just robotic.
I have sung the complete St.Matthew Passion and I also know something about baroque style. The Richter version of this piece is, despite it was recorded long ago, anoying, cold, metric, bitter, slow, without the correct swing and dinamic Bach deserve. It's only an opinion. Please hear the McCreesh version with Kozena for example. THAT'S a good version.
This is Hitler version
@@cenkacar5679 YOUR opinion doesn`t matter... 😂
The choir is really good and the soloists do a great job. The only bad thing is the organ which is a bit too dominant during the part "Sind Blitze und Donner in Wolken verschwunden".
"Sind Blitze..." - warum so langsam?
Je moet wel ver doorspoelen voordat het interessante en snellere stuk aan bod komt.
Así se peinaba mamá.
This orchestra sounds exactly like a Midi-file, with about as much expressive range. And the way they shout each syllable... "SIND BLI-TZÄ, SIND DON-NAH"... ghastly!
Excellent description! You forgot to mention the organ that was taken straight from the merry-go round at the carnival. Bach turns and tosses in his grave every time we play a Richter recording.
@@toonieven Oh yeah, how could I neglect to mention that staccatissimo tinnitus which defies all definitions of "taste" or "elegance", noisily missing its mark like an imperial stormtrooper on his worst day...!?
beautiful women, and great persons... watching this I often ask to mysellf, is it real? the world became more beautiful for me watching this
"Thank" is the exact word for your video not musik..
Bach Musik ist fuer mich sehr wichtig, sehr personlich und geistlich.
4:06
To madzui90: it helps if you pay attention to what they are saying. It is a scene of despair, horror and pain.
Is it just me, or is this one of the slower versions? 4:05
Die Solisten sind Klasse, aber der Chorteil ist mir viel zu technokratisch gesungen.
I remain so fervently untouched by any of Richter’s orchestral recordings. His devotion to strict tempo makes for virtuosic and impressive playing in his Brandenburg concerto recordings, but dull, tiresome and boring repertoire in his greater orchestral recordings. The lack of historical inspiration or really any major interpretation makes for a dreary and tiresome performance that hath remained in the past, and rightfully so, for there is no longer any place for this kind of shallow and blind performance work in the world of classical music today, where artistic directors and conductors ought to be praised for their scholarly work and devotion to their historical interpretation!
Ah, the good old times when Bach was performed by musicians with guts! I want to hear something like this live. I don't care for the period crap people are throwing around today as an excuse for the boring meaningless shit they do on stage. Especially singing. The anemic white lifeless delusional singing being done today and being sold as authentic Bach or whatever is crap and only promoted by people who have no idea what a human voice should really sound like and how it sounded like in the time when instruments competed with the voice, and not the other way around as early music non-specialists want you to believe. Thankfully we have recordings such as this one.
DinDanMee Good to know you are the ultimate authority on that the human voice should sound like, where would we be without you....
I like Julia Hamari, but the soprano is far too operatic and the tempo a bit too slow. Overall, an enjoyable performance though.
Very nice, and congratulations to all involved, but one really needs to have a topo-level boy and men choir. The Thomanerchor 1998 is, IMO, currently the best version available. ua-cam.com/video/iso-MR1tV8U/v-deo.html
Der Dirigent könnte etwas engagierter gucken
Strange but I'm not impressed by the choir in this performance.... Richter would however have had access to the best... ??
Thank god now we got rid of this romantic interpretation of bach in favor of a more historycally accurate one
This interpretation reminds me of a clock accurate but not feeling. And in the last chorus the organ sounds horrible. In particular I prefer Bach with boychoirs....But I've heard versions whit adult choirs very beautiful. Nothing personal but this version is bad.
Greetings.
I can tell you nothing, it is simple, you don't like and enderstand classical music
I feel like the oboes are way to loud in this rendition and the tempo is far too slow. Julia Hamarai is decent but Helen Donath is just kind of mediocre.
Way too slow.
+Michael DeWeese, Jr. Do you like Ton Koopman's version more?
+Michael DeWeese, Jr. It's all relative.
3:57 Obertöne?
4:05
Sebastián 4:06*