Mass in B minor BWV 232
Discography - Part 2

Complete Recordings 1950-1959

< Part 1: Complete Recordings 1900-1949

Part 3: Complete Recordings 1960-1969 >

1

Bach: Mass in B Minor [V-1]
Back from the Shadows - Vol. 2: Bach’s Mass in B minor [V-1]

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Hans Schmidt-Isserstedt

Choir of the NWDR Hamburg / Symphony Orchestra of NWDR (The Cathedral Choir and Symphony Orchestra)

Soprano: Margot Guilleaume; Alto: Gertrude Pitzinger; Tenor: Walter Geisler; Bass: Josef Greindl

Gramophone / Allegro / Royale 1297-1299
Tahra 708-709

Mar 19-20, 1950

3-LP / TT:
2-CD / TT:

Recorded in the Musikhalle of Hamburg, Germany for a broadcast in 1950 via NWDR Hamburg.
For many years this recording was thought to be by Anonymous conductor, the Cathedral Choir and Symphony Orchestra and Anonymous soloists.
See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Anonymous Conductor
Listen on YouTube:
Mass in B minor BWV 232: Complete Work [143:21]

2

J.S. Bach: Messe in h-moll BWV 232 [V-1]

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Herbert von Karajan

Wiener Singverein / Wiener Symphoniker

Soprano: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf; Contralto: Kathleen Ferrier; Tenor: Walther Ludwig; Baritone: Alfred Poell; Bass: Paul Schöffler

Foyer 2-CF-2022
Verona 30006/7
Archipel
Phantom
Cclassics

Jun 15, 1950

2-CD / TT: 121:02

Recorded live at Musikverien, Vienna, Austria.
1^st recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by H.v. Karajan.
See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Herbert von Karajan
Buy this album at:
2. Verona 2-CD (1992): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
2. Verona 2-CD (2001): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
3. Archipel 2-CD (2001): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
3. Archipel 2-CD (2002): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
3. Archipel Music Download (117:31): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
4. Guild 2-CD (2003): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
5. Phantom/Jade 2-CD (2008): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
5. Phantom/Jade Music Download (125:39): Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
6. Le Figaro 2-CD (2011): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
7. Classical Moments Music Download CD-1 (2010, 56:49): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
7. Classical Moments Music Download CD-2 (2010, 62:33): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
8. Past Classics Music Download (2012, 118:38): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

3

Bach: Mass in B minor

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Hermann Scherchen

Wiener Akademie Kammerchor / Vienna Symphony Orchestra

Sopranos: Emmy Loose & Hilde Geske; Contralto: Gertrud Burgsthaler-Schuster; Tenor: Anton Dermota; Bass: Alfred Poell

Westminster (J) / Tahra

Oct 1950

2-CD / TT: 124:17

Recorded at Mozartsaal, Vienna, Austria.
1^st recording of Mass in B minor by H. Scherchen.
See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Hermann Scherchen

4

Bach: Ausschnitte aus der h-moll Messe BWV 232 [LP]
J.S. Bach: Auszüge aus der Messe in h-mol [CD]

Mass in B minor BWV 232 - Nos. 1-3, 11, 19, 20, 24, 25 (complete Kyrie, and Cum sancto spiritu, Confiteor, Et expecto, Sanctus, Agnus dei, Dona nobis pacem)

Günther Ramin

Thomanerchor Leipzig & Dresdner Kreuzchor / Stadt- und Gewandhausorchester Leipzig

Soprano: Gertrud Birmele; Alto: Lotte Wolf-Matthäus
Karl Richter (Harpsichord); Hannes Kästner (Organ)

Cantate 640-223
Eterna
Schola Antiqua GR-3

1950

LP / TT:
LP / TT:
CD / TT:

Recorded live at Thomaskirche, Leipzig, Germany.
1^st recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by G. Ramin.
Buy this album at:
CD: Schola Antiqua

5

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor

Mass in B minor BWV 232

George Enescu

BBC Chorus (actually: BBC Singers; Chorus Master: Leslie Woodgate) / Boyd Neel Orchestra

Soprano: Suzanne Danco; Alto: Kathleen Ferrier; Tenor: Peter Pears; Baritone: Bruce Boyce; Bass: Norman Walker (not listed)
Harpsichord: George Malcolm

BBC 4008-7
Ariadne

Jul 17, 1951

2-CD / TT: 132:17 / 132:03

BBC Studio Recording. Recorded at Concert Hall, Broadcasting House, London.
See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by George Enescu
Buy this album at: Amazon.com | Amazon.com

6

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor BWV 232 [V-2]

Mass in B minor BWV 232 [125:52]
Mass in B minor BWV 232 [21:46] (Excepts from V-1)

Herbert von Karajan

Wiener Singverein / Orchester der Gesellshaft der Musikfreunde in Wien (Wiener Symphoniker) (1952); Philharmonia Orchestra (1953)

Soprano: Elisabeth Schwarzkopf; Contralto: Marga Höffgen; Tenor: Nicolai Gedda; Bass: Heinz Rehfuss

EMI Classics EMI Classics 67207-2
Membran 221885
Naxos 8.111053/54
Lahn-Verlag
Zyx Records

Nov 2-5 + 7, 1952
Nov 23, 28-30, 1952 & Jul 16, 1953
Jun 15, 1950 (EMI only)

2-CD / TT: 147:38
MP3 / TT: 127:19

Recorded at Musikvereinsaal, Vienna, Austria & No. 1 Studio, Abbey Road, London, England..
2^nd recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by H.v. Karajan.
See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Herbert von Karajan
Buy this album at:
3. EMI 2-CD (1993): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
4. EMI 2-CD (1999): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
4. EMI Music Download (147:19): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
5. Membran 2-CD (2004): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
6. EMI 2-CD (2005): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
6. EMI Music Download (147:22): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
7. Naxos 2-CD (2006 153:41): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
8. Past Classics Music Download (2009, 121: 49): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
9. Membran/Lahn 2-CD (2011): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
9. Membran/Lahn 2-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
10. Zyx (2012) 2-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de
11. Cclassics Music Download (2012, 125:15): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

7

J.S. Bach: Mass in B-Minor: Kyrie & Gloria [V-1]

Kyrie & Gloria (Mvts. 1-5) from Mass in B minor BWV 232 (probably from a complete performance)

Arthur Mendel

The Cantata Singers and Orchestra

Soprano: Ellen Faull; Soprano: Charlotte Bloecher; Alto: Belva Kibler; Tenor: Brent Williams; Tenor: William Hess; Bass: Paul Matthen

Schola Antiqua M-IV

May 14, 1953

CD / TT:

Recorded live in New York City, New York, USA.
Recorded on 2 open-reel tapes and were kept in the library of William Hess. Some loss of signal in spots. These were later transferred to cassette tapes and, from these, CD's were made. It is not known if these are the only two sections on tape surviving from a performance of the complete Mass, or whether Mendel conducted only these two sections in a concert (The absence is likely due to missing tapes, which is a great pity.)
Sources: WorldCat Libraries (OCLC Number: 60393280) | Guide to the Belva Kibler and Donald Morgan Collection (OAC)
Buy this album at:
CD: Schola Antiqua

8

Bach: Mass in B Minor

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Alfred Federer

Rhineland Symphony Chorus / Rhineland Symphony Orchestra

Soprano: Gerta Heidrich; Alto: Anita Brunner; Tenor: Christian Bochner; Alto: Josef Kuntz

Regent MG-6000

1953

3-LP / TT:

This is actually the same as the 1953 Fritz Lehmann recording [11].

9

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Hans Grischkat

Schwäbischer Singkreis Stuttgart / Pro Music Orchestra Stuttgart

Soprano 1: Margot Guilleaume; Soprano 2 & Alto: Hetty Plümacher; Tenor: Werner Hohmann; Bass: Horst Günther

Vox

1952 or 1953

3-LP / TT:

1^st recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by H. Grischkat

10

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Fritz Lehmann

Berlin Radio Chorus & Orchestra
or Berlin Chamber Choirs / Berlin Symphony Orchestra (on Vanguard Bach Guild)
or Vienna Festival Orchestra and Chorus (on Music Treasure of the World)

Soprano: Gunthild Weber; Contralto: Margherita de Landi; Tenor: Helmut Krebs; Bass: Karl Wolfram

Urania / Saga / Vanguard Bach Guild / Music Treasures of the World

1953

2-LP / TT:

Buy this album at:

11

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Kurt Thomas

Kantorei der Dreikönigskirche Frankfurt / Collegium Musicum Wilhelm Isselmann

Soprano: Lisa Schwarzweller; Alto: Lore Fischer; Tenor: Helmut Kretschmar; Bass: Bruno Müller

L’Oiseaux Lyre

1954 or 1955

3-LP / TT:

See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Kurt Thomas

12

J.S. Bach: Matthäus Passion BWV 244; Hohe Messe BWV 232 [V-1]

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Eugen Jochum

Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphonieorchester & Chor

Soprano: Elisabeth Grümmer; Contralto: Gertrude Pitzinger; Tenor: Peter Pears; Bass: Hans Braun

Gala GL-100661

Jun 9, 1955 

4-CD / TT:

Recorded in Munich, Germany.
1^st recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by E. Jochum.

13

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor [Unreleased]

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Theodor Egel

Freiburger Bachchor / Stadtorchester Winterthur (Switzerland)

Soprano: Maria Stader; Contralto: Marga Höffgen; Tenor: Fritz Wunderlich; Bass: Heinz Rehfuss

?

Sep 1956

? / TT:

SDR recording (?); Not yet released.
Source: Fritz Wunderlich - The Great German Tenor: Discography

14

J.S. Bach: Messe h-moll

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Karl Richter

Münchener Bach-Chor / Kammerorchester

Soprano: Antonia Fahberg; Alto: Hertha Töpper; Tenor: Gert Lutze; Bass: Franz Kelch

Andromeda 9042

Nov 30, 1956

2-CD / TT:

Recorded live at Lukaskirche, Munich, Germany.
1^st recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by K. Richter. 1^st ever release in Aug 2008.

15

Bach: Mass in B minor

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Günther Ramin

Teachers Choral Society (or Chorus of the Lehrergesangverein of Munich) / Bayerisches Staatsorchester (or Orchestra of Bavaria)

Soprano: Uta Graf; Alto: Hertha Töpper; Tenor: Gert Lutze; Bass: Max Proebstl

Concert Hall / Club National de Disque / Musical Masterpiece Society
Schola Antiqua GR-8

1956

2-LP / TT:
2-CD / TT:

2^nd recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by G. Ramin.
Buy this album at:
2-CD: Schola Antiqua

16

Town Hall concert. 1957-02-05: Bach's Mass in B minor [V-1]

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Ralph Hunter

The Collegiate Chorale / Instrumental ensemble

Vocal soloists: Soprano: Adele Addison; Contralto: Florence Kopleff; Tenor: Richard Robinson; Baritone: Paul Ukena
Instrumental ensemble: Jess [i.e. Jesse] Tryon (Violin); Jules Eskin (Violoncello); Arthur Lora (Flute); Josef Marx & Bruce McDougall (Oboes d'amore); Jack Knitzner (Bassoon); Melvyn [i.e. Mel] Broiles, Gene Kuntz & Fred Mills (Trumpets); Albert Richman (Horn); Robert Conant (Harpischord)

Collegiate Chorale collection of performance recordings LDCO-731

Feb 5, 1957

8 audio discs 33 rpm / TT: 125 min

Recorded at Town Hall concert hall, New York City, New York, USA.
Source: WorldCat Libraries (OCLC Number: 430335214)

17

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor [V-1]

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Karl Eliasberg

Choir Chapel / Leningrad Symphony Orchestra

Vocal soloists: members of the choir (unknown)

Radio Petersburg (Яндекс)

Apr 4, 1957

Recorded live by Radio Petersburg at Grand Hall of Leningrad Philharmonic, Leningrad, Russia.
Source: Panovnik Blog
Dowbload this recording from: Яндекс [rar] | Mediafire

18

Bach: Mass in B Minor · Mass in F

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Eugen Jochum

Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphonieorchester & Chor (Chorus Master: Kurt Prestel)

Soprano: Lois Marshall; Alto: Hertha Töpper; Tenor: Peter Pears; Basses: Kim Borg, Hans Braun

Philips

Dec 1957

2-CD / TT: 125:11

Recorded live in Germany.
2^nd complete recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by E. Jochum.
See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Eugen Jochum
Buy this album at: Amazon.com

19

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor [V-2]
Bach Choral Works: Volume 3 [B-3]

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Fritz Werner

Heinrich Schütz-Chor Heilbronn / Pforzheim Chamber Orchestra

Sopranos: Ingeborg Reichelt, Elisabeth Fellner; Alto: Renate Günther; Tenor: Helmut Krebs; Bass: Franz Kelch
Maxence Larrieu (Flute); Pierre Pierlot (Oboe); Pierre del Vescovo (Horn); Reinhold Barchet (Violin)

Erato LDE-3073-75
MHS
Erato 2564-61403-2

Jan 1-5, 1958

3-LP / TT: 127:55
3-LP / TT: 127:55
10-CD / TT: 724:07

Recorded at Evangelist Church, Weinsberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany.
Buy this album at:
10-CD: Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

20

J.S. Bach: Mass in B Minor [V-2]
Fritz Wunderlich: Große Erfolge & Raritäten · Great Sucesses & Rarities - CD-44/45: J.S. Bach: Messe in h-Moll, BWV 232 [B-1]

Mass in B minor BWV 232 [128:33 / 128:48]

Hans Grischkat

Schwäbischer Singkreis Stuttgart / Orchester des 35. Deutschen Bachfestes

Soprano: Friederike Sailer; Contralto: Margarethe Bence; Tenor: Fritz Wunderlich; Bass: Erich Wenk
Susanne Lautenbacher (Violin); Karl Strobel (Flute); Friedrich Milde & Siegfried Hopf (Oboes d'amore); Karl Arnold (Horn); Walter Geisle (Trumpet); Eva Hölderlin (Organ); Herber Schäfer (Violoncello); Georg Hörtnagel (Double-bass)

Membran International / Vox / Eurodisc
Documents 9-4622-5: CD-44/45

Jul 1, 1958 - Summer 1959

2-CD / TT: 128:33
2-CD / TT: 128:48

Recorded in Stuttgart, Baden-Württemberg, Germany, in the frame of 35. NBG Bachfest.
2^nd recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by H. Grischkat.
Buy this album at:
50-CD (2015): Amazon.com | Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.de

21

Bach: Messe in h-moll · Mass in B minor · Messe in so mineur

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Rudolf Mauersberger

Dresdner Kreuzchor / Sächsische Staatskapelle Dresden

Soprano: Maria Stader; Alto: Sieglinde Wagner; Tenor: Ernst Haefliger; Bass: Theo Adam

Eterna / Berlin Classics

Oct- Nov 1958

2-CD / TT: 123:36

Recorded at Lukaskirche, Dresden, Germany.
Buy this album at:  
2-CD:Amazon.com | Amazon.com

22

J.S. Bach: Messe en si mineur

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Fritz Münch

Choeur de l'Église Saint-Guillaume / Orchestre Municipale de Strasbourg

Soprano: Renée Defraiteur; Alto: Lore Fischer; Tenor: Helmut Kretschmar; Bass: André Vessières

Decca

1958

3-LP / TT:

Recorded live at l'Église Saint-Guillaume, Strasbourg, France dring Festival International de Musique.

23

Bach: Mass in B Minor

Mass in B minor BWV 232

Hermann Scherchen

Wiener Akademie Kammerchor / Vienna Symphony Orchestra

Soprano: Pierrette Alarie; Contralto: Nan Merriman; Tenor: Leopold Simoneau; Bass: Gustav Neidlinger

Westminster / MCA Classics / Deutsche Grammophon

Apr, Jun 1959

2-CD / TT: 134:41

Recorded at Konzethaus, Mozartsaal, Vienna, Austria.
2^nd recording of Mass in B minor BWV 232 by H. Scherchen.
See: Mass in B minor BWV 232 - conducted by Hermann Scherchen
Buy this album at: Amazon.co.uk | Amazon.com | Amazon.de

< Part 1: Complete Recordings 1900-1949

Part 3: Complete Recordings 1960-1969 >

The list of recordings was compiled by Aryeh Oron (November 2000 - March 2022)
Thank to contributors: Denis Alarie (November 2001); Peter Appelros (April 2016); Yoël L. Arbeitman (March 2008); Rudolf Bayer (October 2003); David England [BBC Symphony Chorus] (April 2010); Uri Golomb (April 2001, October 2003); John Grayovski (October 2006); Hans J. Lam (November 2004); Bradley Lehman (March 2004); Riccardo Nughes (August 2001, September 2001); Burke Smith (October 2005); Serge Smirnoff (September 2012); Ben Zadak Smith (June 2001); Eric Spicer (November 2001); Teri Noel Towe (December 2001, May 2007); Roland Wörner (July 2002 - May 2008)

Mass in B minor BWV 232: Details
Complete Recordings: 1900-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 | 1970-1979 | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-2029
Recordings of Individual Movements: 1900-1949 | 1950-1959 | 1960-1969 | 1970-1979 | 1980-1989 | 1990-1999 | 2000-2009 | 2010-2019 | 2020-2029
General Discussions: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19
Systematic Discussions: Part 1: Kyrie | Part 2: Gloria | Part 3: Credo | Part 4: Sanctus | Part 5: Agnus Dei | Part 6: Early Recordings | Part 7: Summary
Individual Recordings: BWV 232 - C. Abbado | BWV 232 - Anonymous | BWV 232 - G.C. Biller | BWV 232 - F. Brüggen | BWV 232 - J. Butt | BWV 232 - S. Celibidache | BWV 232 - M. Corboz | BWV 232 - A. Eby | BWV 232 - G. Enescu | BWV 232 - E. Ericson | BWV 232 - D. Fasolis | BWV 232 - J.E. Gardiner | BWV 232 - C.M. Giulini | BWV 232 - N. Harnoncourt | BWV 232 - T. Hengelbrock | BWV 232 - P. Herreweghe | BWV 232 - R. Hickox | BWV 232 - R. Jacobs | BWV 232 - E. Jochum | BWV 232 - Ifor Jones | BWV 232 - K. Junghänel & Cantus Cölln | BWV 232 - H.v. Karajan | BWV 232 - R. King | BWV 232 - O. Klemperer | BWV 232 - S. Kuijken | BWV 232 - G. Leonhardt | BWV 232 - P. McCreesh | BWV 232 - M. Minkowski | BWV 232 - H. Müller-Bruhl | BWV 232 - S. Ozawa | BWV 232 - M. Pearlman | BWV 232 - K. Richter | BWV 232 - J. Rifkin | BWV 232 - H. Rilling | BWV 232 - H. Scherchen | BWV 232 - P. Schreier | BWV 232 - R. Shaw | BWV 232 - G. Solti | BWV 232 - M. Suzuki | BWV 232 - J. Thomas & ABS | BWV 232 - K. Thomas | BWV 232 - J.v. Veldhoven
Articles: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232 [T. Noel Towe] | Bach’s B minor Mass on Period Instruments [D. Satz] | Like Father, Like Son [B. Pehrson]