|
Yar, you be here: Bach - Mass in B Minor / Biller, Gewandhausorchestra > Customer Reviews
Bach - Mass in B Minor / Biller, Gewandhausorchestra Customer Reviews (1 - 3 of 4 Reviews)
A very special perfomance
I must say I'm very pleased with this DVD.
I sing in a choir here and we are working on this Mass too, so I know how difficult are some of the movements, even for a professional group.
Sometimes I miss the nerve and the power of an adult group, but I really like the relaxed style to sing of these boys.
The solos are OK, specially the bass with a sweet voice and very warm for a bass.This man is an example to any beginner.
I didn't like the countertenor in all numbers, but I must recognize he has a very special voice even for a countertenor.The orchestra is very good, in general very soft, but strong when they have to do it. The quality of the images and sound is good. Finnally, the context where this perfomance was recorded is a plus: the church, the grave of The Master, the participation of the Kantor, make this recording a very special one, that can be not so perfect in musical terms but deserves to be included in a good collection anyway.
n/a
i was just looking for the list of or what the dvd has.....
thank you.
In glory of Bach !
Recorded in 2000 at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig where the composer worked as Cantor for 25 years, this performance of Bach's Mass in B minor is a commemorative concert marking the 250th anniversary of his death. The conductor Georg Christoph Biller, holds the same post as Bach did more than 250 years ago. Since other reviewers did not point out any good elements for this performance I will try to focus on them. Although I agree that the intonation of the choir is not always perfect, this is not the only thing you should take into consideration for buying this DVD. The choir is an all-male chorus (and they are not professionals). This is perfectly acceptable for that era and they really try to do their best (which is very good indeed). The size of the choir though is much bigger than that anticipated in Bach's times. I do not mind watch them sharing scores. Some parts are tricky for them but I share their joy (and strain) in parts like "cum sancto spirito", "Sanctus" and "Osanna in excelsis". All soloists are good (especially Kaus Mertens, the bass). Instead of an alto this performance uses a countertenor (Matthias Rexroth), who is very good and adds to the authenticity. The Gewandhausorchester Leipzig is excellent throughout. Their forces are diminished as required by this baroque masterpiece, they forget their Mendelssohnian roots and never sound romantic, even if their practices are not totally authentic (their instruments of course are not - yes you miss the pleasure of valveless trumpets). Picture and sound are very good. Detail is crisp despite some minor edge enhancement. Instrument groups and choir are well defined especially in DTS (plain stereo is not bad at all). Camera work really serves the performance (bravo to director Robert Coles). The treatment is "orchestral" and the panning effects spectacular. This DVD exploits well the interior of the church. You see all that you want to see (at least I do), like Bach's organ, grave and the church he served as cantor. Orchestra and choir are placed up in the gallery. This adds to the visual delight and to a slight echo effect (the sound remains clear though). The audience is very quiet. The inclusion of anthems and verses between the various movements of the Mass is a plus (some are sung by the present cantor himself). I watched this DVD again and again. This is a large scale performance of the mass, but authenticists will not be disappointed. This is a commemorative concert. Bearing (at least) this in mind this DVD is a good investment. You want to honour Bach, don't you?
|
