BaL 29.12.12 - Beethoven's Missa Solemnis

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Building a Library at 9.30 a.m. on Saturday 29th December, 2012. John Deathridge recommends recordings of Beethoven's Missa Solemnis in D - Op. 123

Available versions:

Wiener Sinfoniker, Volkmar Andreae
Chicago SO Daniel Barenboim
Russian National Orchestra, Sveshnikov Boys and Men's Choir, Moscow Radio Children's Choir, Rudolf Barshai (download)
LPO, Leeds Festival Chorus, Sir Thomas Beecham
Chorus of Radio Hilversum & Concertgebouw Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein – DVD
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernstein - DVD
Russisches Nationalorchester, Herbert Blomstedt (download)
University of Maryland Chorus, European Symphony Orchestra, Antal Dorati
LPO & Choir, Christophe Eschenbach
Monteverdi Choir, Orchestre revolutionaire et romantique, John Eliot Gardiner
Europa Chor Akademie & Luxembourg PO, Michael Gielen
New Philharmonia, Carlo Maria Giulini
LPO, Carlo Maria Giulini
Orchester und Kammerchor der KlangVerwaltung, Enoch zu Guttenberg = CD/Blu Ray audio
Chamber Orchestra of Europe, Niklaus Harnoncourt
Chapelle Royale Choir, Collegium Vocale & Orchestra des Champs-Elysees, Philippe Herreweghe
BBC Chorus, BBC SO, Jasha Horenstein
Weiner Singverein, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan CD/DVD
Singverein der Gesellschaft der Musikfreunde Vienna, Philharmonia Orchestra, Herbert von Karajan
Stockholm PO & Chorus Stockholm, Konzerthuset, Erich Kleiber
Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam, Collegium Musicum Amstelodamense, Concertgebouw, Otto Klemperer
Kölner Rundfunkchor & Kölner Rundfunk-Sinfonie-Orchester, Otto Klemperer
New Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, Otto Klemperer
Philharmonia Chorus & Orchestra, Otto Klemperer
Symphonieorchester & Chor des Bayerischen Rundfunks, Rafael Kubelik
Bolzano-Trento Haydn Orchestra, Chorus Academy of the Tyrolean Festival, Gustav Kuhn
Oslo Cathedral Choir, The Hanover Band, Terje Kvam
London Philharmonic Choir & Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Sir Gilbert Levine - DVD
Staatsopernchor Dresden & Staatskapelle Dresden, Fabio Luisi - DVD
Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Sir Charles Mackerras
Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Kurt Masur
Chamber Orchestra of Europe and the Gulbenkian Choir, John Nelson – DVD
North German Radio Chorus, South West German Vocal Ensemble Choir, South West German Radio Symphony Orchestra, Roger Norrington (download)
Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Bach-Collegium Stuttgart, Helmuth Rilling
Northwest German Radio Symphony Orchestra, St. Hedwig's Cathedral Choir, Carl Schuricht
Atlanta SO, Robert Shaw
Nashville SO & Chorus, Kenneth Schermerhorn
Philharmonischer Chor Brno, Orchester der Beethovenhalle Bonn, Marc Soustrot
Kölner Rundfunkchor & Sinfonie-Orchester, William Steinberg
Sächsischer Staatsopernchor Dresden & Dresden Staatskapelle, Christian Thielemann – DVD & Blu Ray
BBC Symphony Orchestra, BBC Choral Society, Arturo Toscanini
NBC Symphony Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini
New York Schola Cantorum, New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Arturo Toscanini
Westminster Choir, Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, Bruno Walter
Günther Morbach Choir, Gurzenich-Orchester Koln, Gunter Wand
Tonhalle Orchester Zürich, Schweizer Kammerchor, David Zinman

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

I have just two recordings, neither of which is on this preliminary list:
VPO Karl Bohm
VSO Otto Klemperer (the version that Vox squashed on to a single LP - unfortunately squashing the sound too).

[Barbirollians]

Not that reviewer again - after his bizarre response to the Pastoral he is the last person I would listen to on Beethoven recordings.

[Thropplenoggin]

Heroic work, EA. Many thanks. Oh, and Herreweghe has a new one out this month on his own label (PHI) w/ Collegium Vocale & Orchestra des Champs-Elysees.

I have three versions, so clearly a work that means a lot to me, but this wasn't always the case.

1. Klemperer GRoC - I discovered the work through this recording but it still took a long time for it to speak to me.
2. Horenstein on BBC Legends. Fairly soupy sound but some lovely singers - Teresa Stich-Randall (soprano) is a revelation. Many radiant moments.
3. I recently acquired Herreweghe's first recording reissued on Harmonia Mundi Gold. Unfortunately, the packing is far more splendid than the sound, especially the first two movements. So disappointing that it has entered my 'to be re-sold' box. And yet this came out top in 1996! I'm even considering replacing it with Jeggers, of which there are s/h versions for under £3. But every time I hear that accelerated opening, I pine for Klemperer's sense of mystery.

One I'd very much like to hear is Jochum. It's currently OOP and not on YouTube or any other streaming service, nor is it available s/h If anyone every finds it ANYWHERE, do let me know.

I'd recommend the Klemperer/New Philharmonia & Chorus as a solid BaL choice. A good mix of astonishing drama and beautiful serenity, something of that sublime vertiginous cosmic feeling, with excellent singing, and although not hurtling along at some HIP speeds, I've never found it sluggish. After all, it's a religious work meant to inspire awe, not a chariot race. The clarity of the sound ain't too shoddy either.

As Barbirollians can probably tell, I'd be tuning in regardless of who was presenting it.

[Thropplenoggin]

[PJPJ]

Is it not available from Archivmusic?

[Thropplenoggin]

Is it not available from Archivmusic?

I can only assume you are referring to Jochum. It would appear so, but at a fairly hefty price before P&P and only from the re-issue dept. of their American site. I've never used this service before.

[verismissimo]

To be honest, I've never been able to cope with this work on an at home listening basis. Just too big (bloated?).

But then I've only ever had BPO/Karajan.

I'll be listening out for a Throppers-lite version for sure.

[Roehre]

......
3. I recently acquired Herreweghe's first recording reissued on Harmonia Mundi Gold. Unfortunately, the packing is far more splendid than the sound, especially the first two movements. ...

Thropplenoggin, I am really surprised by this, as the original (1996?) issue is excellent (I always take it with me on holiday) throughout.
Have you listened already to the new recording of the work by the same forces -but with other soloists-, made in Ghent quite recently?

[Thropplenoggin]

Thropplenoggin, I am really surprised by this, as the original (1996?) issue is excellent (I always take it with me on holiday) throughout.
Have you listened already to the new recording of the work by the same forces -but with other soloists-, made in Ghent quite recently?

No, but I have the means to, thanks to my current subscription to the Qobuz streaming website. I shall endeavour to do so before the 29th and report back.

I believe my complaint re. Herreweghe Missa Solemnis 1.0 was something mentioned in the Gramophone review at the time, whereby the reviewer noticed a difference in balance/sound between earlier and later movements. IIRC, they thought that maybe it was from two different live recordings. Perhaps those with a subscription to the Gramophone Digital Archive could check.

In any case, your enthusiasm has encouraged me to give it another listen

[Petrushka]

I have BPO/Solti (not listed), Karajan x2, Klemperer x2, JEG and Bernstein so this is a work that means a lot to me as well. Am interested, like Throppers, in acquiring the Jochum and I wish more than anything that Haitink would finally set down his thoughts on this great masterpiece. A Chicago performance is on the CSO website and a BRSO outing is on YouTube but no CD as yet.

[Tony Halstead]

Terje Kvam brings a blazing intensity to the 'loud and animated' sections but maybe the quieter moments are rather understated.
Also, the choir sounds bigger than the orchestra ( but maybe this is a welcome change from the usual scenario?)

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

JEGger's recording is the only Beethoven of his that I find utterly convincing: none of the boot-boy attitude to phrasing or simplistic, "black-or-white" presentation of dynamics and tempo that I find ruin his symphony cycle. This is a Mass that has Energy beyond the speed of light - making so many others sound like a "Dense".

Karajan's recordings from the '60s (DG) and '70s (EMI) are of equal and opposite magnificence; but I do so hope Krivine and his band are thinking of recording this cathedral to the human imagination.

[Nick Armstrong]

JEGger's recording is the only Beethoven of his that I find utterly convincing: none of the boot-boy attitude to phrasing or simplistic, "black-or-white" presentation of dynamics and tempo that I find ruins his symphony cycle. This is a Mass that has Energy beyond the speed of light - making so many others sound like a "Dense".

I'd agree with that. I think his recording's all of a piece with the music and the energy within it.

[Andrew Preview]

Oh, and Herreweghe has a new one out this month on his own label (PHI) w/ Collegium Vocale & Orchestra des Champs-Elysees.

Herreweghe's new recording is currently just £7.59 from dvd.co.uk.

(Sorry if the link doesn't work - I've tried it several times! If you go to the web site, you'll need to search for "Beethoven Missa", rather than "Beethoven Herreweghe".)