Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Rudolf Mauersberger, Staatskappelle Dresden :: Bach: Mass in b-Moll

Awesome, perfectly thought out, well performed

RT46 | Texas | 02/23/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Mauersberger may not reflect the latest trends in "historically informed" scholarship, but he always inspires me. This recording shows Bach at his absolute best with the music flowing absolutely perfectly. The strings of the Staatskappelle sing, the winds dance, while the contrabasses give a solid and powerful anchor (too often lacking in "authentic" performances). This is one recording that has both a dance quality AND devotional fervor. The chorus gives it a cathedral sound, especially in places like the opening "Kyrie", "et in terra pax", "et resurrexit", "Sanctus". The "crucifixus" has a quality of lament. My absolute favorite chorus is "et expecto" with the brilliant trumpets (one can picture the graves bursting open at the Second Coming of Christ). The only thing I wish was different is that for the B Minor Mass adult voices work better than boys' voices. If you are not hung up on "authenticity", Mauersberger is an excellent Bach conductor."