This is the third of Ralf Otto’s Bach series for Naxos, after the Christmas Oratorio and the St. John Passion. In many ways, this is a better attempt than the shorter passion, though some of the minor issues from the previous volumes remain here as well.
The opening ”Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen” sets the scene, so to speak, for the piece and the performance. There is some “old school” manner in which the Bachchor Mainz delivers the long phrases and dialogues when split into two choirs – no thin-voiced, boy-like sound here. It’s not a large choir by any means (5-6 singers per-part), but the group sings through with warmth and (good heavens!) vibrato that we almost came to forget possible with baroque performances. Like it or not, this choir has character, which a choir needs in abundance when performing a piece like the St. Mathew Passion.
The choir is at its best in the dramatic crowd scenes but, as in the previous volume of the St. John Passion, less persuasive in the chorals. The rhythm fluctuations surely meant to serve the text, but also sound forced and unnatural. One should be doubtful if the churchgoers of Bach’s days could have participated in them, as they supposedly expected to do in the original circumstances.
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The real star here is George Poplutz, who takes again the role of the evangelist. He is a highly engaged, effective communicator of this challenging role, remaining in style without sounding too operatic. Matthias Winckhler is another effective, down-to-earth Jesus, and Mezzo Gerhild Romberger gives lyrical and heartfelt arias, including the sublime “Erbarme dich”. Soprano Julia Kleiter is another fine soloist, as in her performance of “Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben”.
The rest of the soloists are not particularly memorable and, unfortunately, nor is the orchestra and continuo group. This is partly due to the recording quality, which can be muffled and give too much emphasis on the woodwind and bass over the organ and strings. The harpsichord joining the continuo efforts was perhaps better dispensed with, as it takes over the accompaniment rather unimaginatively.
Those who liked Otto’s previous volumes will enjoy this set as well, as you can’t fault him with inconsistency. Some may prefer a more distinguished version of this masterpiece out of a large number of choices, few listed below.
Bach – St. Matthew Passion
Georg Poplutz – Evangelist
Matthias Winckhler – Jesus
Soloists
Mainz Bach Choir and Orchestra
Ralf Otto – Conductor
Naxos, CD 8.574036-38
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