Search - Mendelssohn, Corboz, Gulbenkian Chorus :: Mendelssohn: Psalms

The definitive recording of Mendelssohn Psalms

Larry VanDeSande | Mason, Michigan United States | 05/10/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Felix Mendelssohn wrote a handful of psalms, choral pieces produced very much in the mold of a Bach cantata. They tend to be constructed of an opening for either chorus or soloist and chorus followed by an aria, recitative, choral interlude, recitative, duet, trio or quartet, and closing chorale. As always with this composer, these comopositions were conservative in nature, broke no new ground, looked backward to the Baroque, and served God with their text from the Book of Psalms.



Michel Corboz recorded this box at two different times, in 1977 (Psalms 42 & 95) and in 1987. They were available on individual pressings in the LP and cassette era, a time I first made their acquaintance when Musical Heritage Society bought the rights and marketed the outstanding Psalms 42 and 95. Nathalie Stutzmann was not a well-known singer in those days and the Gulbenkian Foundation Choir, which turns in wonderful work here, was even less well known. Corboz was not an international name in that era; he has since gone on to record most of the major religious masterworks from Bach to Puccini.



Corboz set the pattern for all subsequent recordings of this music with these recordings including the attempts in recent years by big names comprising Phillipe Herreweghe Mendelssohn: Psaumesand Helmuth Rilling Mendelssohn: Psalms Nos. 42, 98, 114 & 115, among others, to capitalize on the new popularity of psalms. Those conductors have bigger names and bigger name singers at their disposal, but their work does not exceed Corboz's and no one else has recorded all of 42, 95, 112 and 115 in one recording. An out of print CD led by Chen Liang-Sheng on the Swiss Gallo label once bundled Psalms 42, 95 and 115 on a single recording. It's a good one if you can find it (ASIN: B000009J6P).



While the issue at hand has been remastered, the sound is restricted and insufficient when compared to more recent DDD renderings, especially in the treble and upper ranges. Artistically, it retains its mastery over Mendelssohn's religious opi and continues to be a strong recommendation in this music, especially since it presents five psalms when most other recordings only include a pair. The package comes with texts and translations, as well. At this price, you can't go wrong."