St. Matthew Passion / Berlin Philharmonic /Rattle

[ChrisBennell]

I seem to remember in the 50s, it was quite common to find a broadcast of the St. Matthew Passion complete on the BBC at Easter. (I think on the Home Service too, R4!)Nowadays it's a little harder to find, but scanning the schedules I did find that Rattle and the BPO are down for a broadcast on TTN this week.

See: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b05nsf80

On one page the listing says BBC Philharmonic , but the programme details are for the Berlin Philharmonic

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Ah, yes, I recorded that one at the time.

[Cockney Sparrow]

Proms September 2014. Lot of movement, not just the singers, but for example with instrumentalists standing in relation to the the soloist in the arias. For example - the concert master sitting on the edge of a stage block playing directly to Madalena Kozena, on her knees in "Ebarmer Es Gott ...". One of the standout moments of a wonderful performance and experience, especially as I was sitting in the stalls, level with where the 1st violins would normally be placed - so level with the stage area.

I must listen to this recording, I wonder how they managed with the changing positions (though I suppose the same arises in opera relays).

[BBMmk2]

St Matthew Passion I find is one of those works that has two qualities, about it. Visual and aural.I prefer the latter, as this can let your imagination run!