Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Philippe Herreweghe, Andreas Scholl :: Bach - Mass in B minor BWV 232 · Magnificat · Cantate BWV 80 / Gens · A. Scholl · Prégardien · Kooy · Herreweghe (+ CD-Rom)

This recording of the B Minor Mass is, quite frankly, a marvel. In the opening bars of the Kyrie, where tradition dictates a powerful, agonized cry for mercy, Philippe Herreweghe offers a gentle, awestruck plea that took this listener's breath away. Extroverted movements like the Gloria, Et resurrexit, and Sanctus lack nothing in excitement; Qui tollis and Dona nobis pacem feel like fervent prayers. Herreweghe's luminous Collegium Vocale and skillful, sensitive instrumentalists make every gesture, large and small, seem exactly right. The soloists have attractive voices that blend with the period instruments and each other; while each is exquisite, tenor Christoph Prégardien and alto Andreas Scholl are magnificent. Bach's Magnificat is almost a microcosm of everything (well, almost) that's wonderful about Bach's sacred music--all in under half an hour. This is exactly what has made it so very popular among conductors and record labels. The great strength of Herreweghe's Magnificat is his soloists: alto Gérard Lesne, tenor Howard Crook, and bass Peter Kooy are solid, confident, and stylish; soprano Barbara Schlick sounds much warmer and more appealing than usual; and she, Agnès Mellon, and Lesne make beautiful music together in the trio "Suscepit Israel." The problem with this Magnificat is that the orchestra and especially the chorus just don't cut loose and get joyful when the music calls for it--the jubilant opening chorus in particular sounds positively genteel. (Try John Eliot Gardiner or Reilly Lewis to hear the difference.) Most Bach fans will probably want more than one Magnificat, however. This set also includes Cantata BWV 80, "Ein' feste Burg ist unser Gott." The piece is basically a multimovement fantasia on Luther's famous hymn tune ("A Mighty Fortress Is Our God" to English speakers) and Herreweghe, using the trumpet and drum parts added by Bach's son Wilhelm Friedemann, gives it a gutsy, thrilling performance, worth having by itself. Finally, this box set includes a bonus CD-ROM Bach Companion, a fascinating multimedia guide that includes the following features: contextual history of Europe around 1700, Bach's Germany, baroque terminology, a chronicle of the Bach family, detailed analysis of 20 works, a "composing machine," and four interactive "Bach games." --Matthew Westphal