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Aryeh Oron (on Behalf of Wayne Davies) wrote (August 10, 2006):
Below is a short review of Matthaus-Passion BWV 244 conducted by former Thomaskantor Hans Joachim Rotzsch, which Wayne Davies sent me off-list.
See: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Vocal/BWV244-Rec5.htm [64]
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In 1990 I bought a 2 VHS copy of J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion, with the following performers listed:
Gewandhausorchester, Leipzig
Thomanerchor, Leipzig
Kinderchor, Leipzig
Conducted by Hans-Joachim Rotzsch
Soloists
Evangelist & Tenor arias: Peter SchreierBass: Jesus : Theo Adam
Soprano: Regina Werner
Alto: Rosemarie Lang
Baritone: Siegfried Lorenz
When I bought this performance of Bach's St Matthew Passion, filmed in 1987, my feelings were that this was an historical performance, because of the performers involved, also it's filmed in Bach's own St Thomas Church in Leipzig, and conducted by Thomaskantor Hans-Joachim Rotzsch who held this Post of from 1972 until 1990 the 15th Successor to Bach's post.
The Performance is direct and stays with the individual soloists both singers and instrumentalist and choir , all positioned in different locations in front of the choir, not like Richters version on DVD that treats each section as they were individual sections of the work, centering the camera only on performer , Peter Schreier as evangelist and Theo Adam as Jesus are stationed along side each other as they tell the story of the work, Schreier as always gives 100% in this performance singing the words clearly with great expression, Adam as Jesus provides a very passionate and commanding performance of his role, Werner as Soprano sings with a light and clear voice that radiates, Lang as Alto is not the best choice I feel, although she sings well, her voice is not as strong as the others and feels out of place and lacks emotion for the part, Lorenz plays the parts of Pilate, High Priest, Peter does well but he seems strained at times and it feels like he is pushing the words! out, the Choir is a rather large group, but does very well in its treatment of the work singing with a light smooth sound, that radiates threw the church.
The 2 VHS Tapes provide you with stereo HI FI and has good overall sound for a tape, but the picture is week and a little grainy, as it looks like it was recorded off a weak master.
The performance all in all is a good sound job it has its weakness, but to see this work done in the church of Bach and done by a ThomasKantor using the Choir of Bach its very rewarding and nice to watch and listen too, a good way to spend an evening with Bach at Easter time.
Take Care
Wayne Davies |
