A CD transfer from this recording includes 15 Arias &
Choruses. From the liner notes to the CD edition on Membran: This
production is made up of a 'Highlights' recording from 1947 supplemented
by 1948 recordings of several of the missing numbers. Why these original
recordings did not lead to a complete recording (the bass aria 'come,
healing fross', for example, is still missing) is not known today."
Recorded at Kingsway Hall, London, England.
See: Matthäus-Passion BWV 244 -
conducted by Reginald Jacques Buy this album at:
3-CD: Amazon.com
Ferrier English Passion
Yoël L. Arbeitman
wrote (September 10, 2005):
I have had a very joyous Bachian experience and want to share the information. Aryeh's supersite lists:
8
St. Matthew Passion
Matthäus-Passion BWV 244
Reginald Jacques
The Bach Choir / The Jacques Orchestra
Soprano: Elsie Suddaby; Contralto: Kathleen Ferrier; Tenor: Eric Greene; Bass [Jesus]: Henry Cummings; Bass [Arias]: William Parsons; Bass [Judas, Peter]: Gordon Clinton
Richmond / Decca
1947-1948
3-CD / TT:
Omits Nos. 11, 21, 65, 66; Abridged Nos. 10, 12. The work is revised by Elgar & Atkins, sung in English, and the translation was done by Troutbeck & Johnson. A CD transfer from this recording includes 15 Arias & Choruses
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Actually the complete recording as originally issued on Decca/ Richmond which I long enjoyed and still have the LPs of (don't play them) was in 1999 reissued on Dutton together with on CD 3, a previously unpublished take of "If my tears be unavailing" (which runs 10:02) + the recording with Ferrier and soprano Joan Taylor of Pergolesi's Stabat Mater conducted by Roy Henderson. It is amazing that this 1999 issue is out of print. I finally found a copy of it, seeming new. It also seems to me that Aryeh's site shows a photo of the Dutton issue.
Douglas Cowling wrote (September 10, 2005):
[To Yoël L. Arbeitman] This was my first encounter with the St. Matthew Passion as an eight-year old choirboy. I still get chills up and down my spine when I think of the effect it had on me. I keep the old LPs even though they are unplayable now from my constant listening. Kathleen Ferrier's singing, although totally unfashionable now, is beautiful -- a real contralto. Elsie Suddaby had a lovely clear soprano decades before Emma Kirkby became a star. There's a wonderful old recording of Mendelssohn's "Elijah" (Beecham)? where she sings the part of the boy who spies the cloud appearing in heaven in the sacrifice scene -- an absolute delight.
1947-48 St. Matthew Passion conducted by R. Jacques on 78rpm--can you help?
Daniel R. Melamed
wrote (June 8, 2016):
In connection with a research project on the performance history of Bach's St. Matthew Passion I am looking for details on the 78rpm issue of the 1947-48 Decca recording conducted by Reginald Jacques. It is available on LP and CD transfers, of course, but I am interested in side breaks and timings on the 78s.
If you have access to a copy of the 78s and would be willing to correspond about a few details I would be grateful for your help. You can write privately to me at dmelamed (at) indiana.edu.
Many thanks if you can help. --Dan Melamed
Prof. Daniel R. Melamed
Musicology Department
Jacobs School of Music
Indiana University
William Hoffman
wrote (June 8, 2016):
[To Daniel R. Melamed] I believe the Hans Kindler collection in the Washington D. C. Main Public Library had this recording among the extensive 78 collection as late as 1960. They were stored in the basement for listening.
