This new recording of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion by the Bach Choir of Bethlehem and the Bach Festival Orchestra, led by conductor Christopher Jackson, offers a Intriguing take on the masterpiece through the lens of Felix Mendelssohn’s arrangement for a performance in 1841. The experience evokes performance style of mid-20th century conductors like Klemperer, Mengelberg, or Karl Richter.
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The size of the forces employed immediately establishes this “old-school” feel. The string section, with its vibrato-laden playing style, contributes to a rich and sonorous soundscape. However, this larger-than-life approach doesn’t drown out the crucial interplay between soloists, double choir, orchestra, and continuo. The balance remains well-maintained, allowing the complex tapestry of Bach’s writing to shine through.
Tempo choices, while slower than period-instrument performances, avoid the extremes of Klemperer’s glacial pacing. The chorales, sung with natural phrasing, feel inviting and encourage audience participation. Baroque-style ornamentation by the orchestra players are also dispensed with (here for example the woodwind clean lines that opens the duet “So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen” (CD 1, track 19). One interesting detail is the use of a period fortepiano instead of the traditional organ for the Evangelist recitatives, adding a touch of intimacy to these passages.
Mendelssohn’s arrangement becomes more prominent in the second half. Here we encounter alterations in the instrumentation of certain recitatives, cuts, and a more prominent string presence in the arias. Some orchestral parts are even doubled, reflecting the grander Romantic aesthetic.
Despite the changes, the vocal performances remain the heart of the recording. Soprano Clara Rottsolk emerges as the true star of this recording. Her rendition of the recitative “Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben” and the aria that follows (CD1, tracks 5-6) is particularly compelling, demonstrating vocal mastery regardless of the arrangement. Tenor Dann Coakwell, in the role of the Evangelist, delivers a nuanced and engaging performance.
The choruses, though well-drilled and effective in portraying the crowd scenes, lack the clarity and crispness often associated with period instrument ensembles like those led by Gardiner or Herreweghe. The recording dispenses with the children’s choir typically heard in the Ripieno sections of Part 1’s opening and closing movements. Instead, it utilizes a single soprano and tenor on the opening chorus, a noticeable yet ultimately non-essential alteration to the traditional voicing.
The recording boasts excellent sonic clarity. While a live recording with claps at the end of each sections, any audience noise throughout the performance is negligible, allowing the music to take center stage. However, a missed opportunity lies in the booklet, which provides only basic information about the performers and neglects any discussion of the work or the Mendelssohn arrangement.
Ultimately, the most significant aspect of this recording is its testament to Mendelssohn’s deep admiration for Bach’s masterpiece. Despite the alterations, the essence, the spiritual depth, and the emotional impact of the St. Matthew Passion narrative remain powerfully conveyed. This recording offers a valuable addition to the vast discography of the work, particularly for those who appreciate the grandeur and emotional weight of the 19th-century performance tradition.
Bach St. Matthew Passion – Recommended Comparisons
Klemperer | Richter | Chailly | Mengelberg
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| Album Details | |
|---|---|
| Album name | Bach / Mendelssohn – St. Matthew Passion |
| Artist | The Bach Choir of Bethlehem |
| Artist | Bach Festival Orchestra |
| Artist | Christopher Jackson – Conductor |
| Soloists | Clara Rottsolk, soprano / Luthien Brackett, mezzo-soprano / Dann Coakwell, tenor (Evangelist) / Isaiah Bell, tenor / William Sharp, baritone (Jesus) / Enrico Lagasca, bass |
| Catalogue No. | AN 953 |
| Amazon Link | Buy here |
| Label | Analekta |
| Work | Bach – St. Matthew Passion – Arranged by Mendelssohn |
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