BaL 19.11.16 - Bach Lutheran Masses BWV 233-236

[Thropplenoggin]

Superbly informative BaL so far with judicious commentary on the recordings.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Schematic diagram of Bach's self-borrowings for these masses here

- many thanks, gurne.

Superbly informative BaL so far with judicious commentary on the recordings.

[BBMmk2]

He didn't like my favourite The Sixteen/Harry Christophers!!!

[underthecountertenor]

Superbly informative BaL so far with judicious commentary on the recordings.

JF-A really is a cut above.

[MickyD]

I feel I must get hold of these Pygamlion recordings...especially as they are available in a bargain box.

[BBMmk2]

Superbly informative BaL so far with judicious commentary on the recordings.

Yes, very a very good BaL. I still like The Sixteen/Harry Christophers, though I might have a listen to the Japanese guys. I rather like the way he does his JSB.

[vinteuil]

I feel I must get hold of these Pygamlion recordings...especially as they are available in a bargain box.

... the Pygamlions are triffic - and as you say, a bargain.


(The Pygmalions aren't bad, neither... )

This was a lovely BAL - the reviewer excellent - and a reminder of how stunning these neglected works are. The Pygmalions and the Herreweghe are among my favourites; I think I like the Purcell qtt quite a bit more than he did.

[jonfan]

It's interesting that the top recommendations are from conductors who put the music and JSB first. The listener feels Bach's music is safe in their hands. Was there a little side-swipe at JEG when he pointed out that JEG hadn't even acknowledged their existence? I'm very happy with Suzuki but will investigate the others.
There is a very good Elijah still on iplayer from a TTN of 26 October that Suzuki conducted in Denmark with excellent Danish forces. Hope he records more classical and romantic music on the strength of this.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b0801p4g

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Was there a little side-swipe at JEG when he pointed out that JEG hadn't even acknowledged their existence?

I didn't hear a "swipe" if such were intended, jon - more a tone of puzzlement that JEG should seem to share such an outdated and unjust opinion of the works.

[Padraig]

I didn't hear a "swipe" if such were intended, jon - more a tone of puzzlement that JEG should seem to share such an outdated and unjust opinion of the works[.

Now that's a swipe.

I was most interested to hear other versions of the Masses as I was not too keen on the CDs I possessed. I had noted on paper the eventual selection, so perhaps I had better get cracking and order it.
On the other hand, the reviewer was so thorough, so knowledgeable and so enthusiastic that I would never achieve his satisfaction in his preferred choice, so maybe I'll just put up with what I chose myself. Serves me right.

[ardcarp]

More about Ensemble Pygmalion here:

http://www.ensemblepygmalion.com/biographie

This in particular is the sort of support many continental groups get, and we don't:

Pygmalion reçoit le soutien d’EREN Groupe, de la Fondation Bettencourt Schueller, de Mécénat Musical Société Générale, ainsi que de la Région Ile-de-France. Pygmalion est en résidence à la Fondation Royaumont et à la Fondation Singer-Polignac.


Returning to the Bach Masses, I would have liked to hear more of the Pygmalions in order to make a purchasing decision. I agree it was a good BAl, even if J.F-A was inclined to flowery language at times! I'm secretly glad Jeggers hasn't recorded them...and yes, it was an implicit side-swipe!

[Padraig]

Can something be "outdated" at any other time?

I'd say yes.

But did you really miss the previous post from Padraig, #25? Please check.
#26 was an error, for which I apologise.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I'd say yes.

But did you really miss the previous post from Padraig, #25? Please check.
#26 was an error, for which I apologise.

Ah - I'd thought that you were repeating to emphasise that the opinion was "outdated now" (but - by implication - might come back into fashion). I have deleted your "error", together with my erroneous reply to it.

#24, despite your assertion at the start of #25, wasn't a swipe - it was a statement about how the Reviewer's tone sounded to me - how I interpreted his comment.

[Cockney Sparrow]

The Pygmalion Ensemble recording is on Naxos Music Library.
http://www.for3.org/forums/showthrea...895#post579895 (post #25)

(Its also on Google Play music "Bach: Missæ Breves, BWV 232-236 (Complete Recordings)").

[MickyD]

Just as an afterthought...though one couldn't include it in a recommendation for a complete set, there is also a very nice recording of the Mass in A included in a lovely 2 CD collection from King's College Cambridge and the AAM, issued in 2000.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Magnificat-Johann-Sebastian/dp/B00004RITR/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1479589690&sr=1-4&keywords=Bach+Cambridge