Classical Live 18.04.25 - Bach: St Matthew Passion

[Pulcinella]

Easter: A Seasonal Journey. Bach's St Matthew Passion


Mark Forrest introduces a recent specially recorded performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion for Good Friday, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle and featuring a stellar cast.

Johann Sebastian Bach
St Matthew Passion, BWV. 244
Mark Padmore (tenor, Evangelist)
Georg Nigl (baritone, Jesus)
Camilla Tilling (soprano)
Magdalena Kožená (mezzo-soprano)
Andrew Staples (tenor)
Roderick Williams (baritone)
Augsburg Cathedral Boys' Choir
Bavarian Radio Chorus
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Sir Simon Rattle (conductor)

[smittims]

This will be the first time I've seen Rattle and Bach together. But, as Otto Klemperer said 'I've managed with Beethoven , so I suppose it will be all right'.

[kernelbogey]

Mark Padmore struggling a bit with top notes. But excellent overall.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Mark Padmore struggling a bit with top notes. But excellent overall.

He is isn’t he ? He sounds out of sorts …

[Cockney Sparrow]

Rattle brought the St Matthew to the Proms with the BPO, the performances with movement. I was sitting in the stalls (the side where usually the violins are found). It seemed like Magdalena Kožená was singing Erbarme dich directly to me (.....I concede, others also). Not to be forgotten - I've always found it an extraordinary moment in the Passion drama.

[kernelbogey]

That final chorus always breaks me up... and I'm not even a Christian.

[silvestrione]

That final chorus always breaks me up... and I'm not even a Christian.

For me it's the last chorale, and then the 'recitativo' on the 'evening hour'...

[oddoneout]

That final chorus always breaks me up... and I'm not even a Christian.

It always gets me too. I went and walked round the garden when it had finished to get myself back together. When I last sang in this Passion about 10 years ago I found it very difficult to keep going at that point and now, when age seems to bring emotions much closer to the surface, I don't think I'd manage it at all.

[smittims]

Well, it was 'all right' but not as good as last year's S.John Passion from Manchester, in my opinion. I could tell he sees it as a dramatic rather than a meditative work, which is fair enough. Biut I thought the Evangelist sounded a lite like Loge complaining to Alberich; and some of the tempi in the arias were too fast : I missed the depth of the music.

[Ein Heldenleben]

Well, it was 'all right' but not as good as last year's S.John Passion from Manchester, in my opinion. I could tell he sees it as a dramatic rather than a meditative work, which is fair enough. Biut I thought the Evangelist sounded a lite like Loge complaining to Alberich; and some of the tempi in the arias were too fast : I missed the depth of the music.

Not as good as Thursday’s Missa Solemnis (cond. Manze) or last night’s German Requiem (cond Hyde) which throws into my perspective my thoughts on Manze and “star “ conductors.