Question about Shaw’s St. John Passion

William D. Kasimer wrote (July 12, 2001):
While in a used CD/LP store the other day, I came across an LP copy of a St. John Passion with Robert Shaw conducting, on RCA. It appears to be a late monaural recording, probably late 50's. Soloists include Blake Stern, Mack Harrell, Blanche Thebom.

I bought it (the price was right - $3.00). The only problem is that the booklet is missing. Can anyone supply a complete cast list? Some information is on labels on the LP's themselves, but it's pretty spotty.

Michael Grover wrote (July 12, 2001):
[To William D. Kasimer] Here's some more "spotty" information: http://www.bach-cantatas.com/Vocal/BWV245.htm

Look at recording E-1 (under complete recordings - sung in English).

That's all the information I could find after searches with Altavista and Google.

Bradley Lehamn wrote (July 12, 2001):
[To William D. Kasimer] Library of Congress: http://www.loc.gov

LC Control Number:
99568278
Type of Material:
Music Sound Recording
Personal Name:
Bach, Johann Sebastian, 1685-1750.
Main Title:
The Passion according to St. John. [sound recording]
Uniform Title:
[Johannespassion. English]
Published/Created:
RCA Victor [195-]
Related Names:
Addison, Adele. voc
Chabay, Leslie, 1907- voc
Harrel, Mack. voc
Matthen, Paul. voc
Stern, Blake. voc
Thebom, Blanche. voc
Shaw, Robert, 1916- cnd
Robert Shaw Chorale. prf
RCA Victor Chorale. prf
Description:
3 discs. 33 1/3 rpm. mono. 12 in.
Publisher Number:
LM 6103 RCA Victor
Notes:
In container.
Program notes by Robert Shaw and Julius Herford; libretto in English (18 p.) laid in container.
262 conversion.
305 conversion.
Cast:
Adele Addison, soprano; Blanche Thebom, mezzo-soprano; Blake Stern, Leslie Chabay, tenors; Mack Harrel, baritone; Paul Mathen, bass, with other soloists; Collegiate chorale; RCA Victor Orchestra; Robert Shaw, conductor.
Subjects:
Oratorios.
Passion music.
LC Classification:
RCA Victor LM 6103

According to the discography at http://www.ncc.com/humans/scr/rs.html this set was released in 1950.

Charlie wrote (July 12, 2001):
According to the discography of the St. John Passion in Alan blyth's "Choral Music on Records", the Robert Shaw recording is the first complete and uncut recording of the Passion, and it was recorded in 1950.

The discography listing in the appendix does not give first names for the performers, but the list is:

Addison (s) [arias], Fogelson (s) [Maid], Thebom (a), Chabay (t) [arias], Stern (t) [Evangelist], Carringer (t) [Servant], Harrell (bar) [Jesus], Matthen (bs) [arias], Slick (bs) [Pilate], Ukena (bs) [Peter], Robert Shaw Chorale, Collegiate Chorale, RCA Victor Orchestra

Roy Reed wrote (July 13, 2001):
[To William D. Kasimer] I have those LPs and the booklet, plus Shaw's booklet of the chorales which he had distributed for auditors to sing along. If you want I can copy them and mail them to you.

Robert Shaw: Short Biography | Robert Shaw Chorale | RCA Victor Symphony Orchestra | Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Recordings of Vocal Works: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | General Discussions
Individual Recordings: BWV 232 - R. Shaw | BWV 243 - R. Shaw | BWV 245 - R. Shaw