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In Reply to: RE: Richter's Classic Bach on Sale 30% off: Do you Bach fans still pull him off the shelf? posted by jdaniel@jps.net on February 23, 2017 at 08:14:46
Isn't his recording of Messiah the Mozart edition, in German? Having heard that live, that would automatically disqualify a recording for consideration for me. I love the music of both composers, but the Mozart version of Messiah feels like someone drew a moustache on the Mona Lisa.
I once owned Richter's St. Matthew's Passion....great singing, but I found it to be somewhat turgid.
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1959, 1969, and 1979. The one most commonly issued (and recommended) is the earliest one. For me, it's a "sacred cow" that doesn't live up to its reputation. Too slow, and some of the solo work, particularly some critical arias for the mezzo, is rather unimpressive. I actually prefer the 1979 version - it's no less turgid, but the solo work is considerably better. The 1969 was recorded live in Japan, and isn't worth seeking out.
For a modern instrument version, I usually opt for Rilling's more recent one on Hanssler. Corboz' isn't as well conducted, but the soloists are even better; ditto for Munchinger. Klemperer's looks good on paper, but I can't stand most of it. There are many HIP choices, most of which have something to offer - I haven't decided which I prefer.
One is of the Mozart edition you refer to. The other (the later one with the LPO) is the straight Handel.
I don't believe that the one sung in German is actually the Mozart arrangement - it's just the usual Messiah sung in German.
There's also another DG recording in German that *is* the Mozart arrangement, conducted by Mackerras. Quite good, actually.
I actually have ANOTHER Mackerras recording of the Mozart version on RCA/BMG (now Sony, I guess):
For some reason however, Mackerras reverts to the original in "The Trumpet Shall Sound", so we don't get to hear Mozart's re-scoring of this aria for French horn! I mean, if you're going to do the Mozart version, why not go all the way? (Hmm. . . I guess that would include singing it in German though!)
Have you found a Matthew's Passion you've been able to sit through from beginning to end? That would be the one I'd want.
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The van Veldhoven version on Channel Classics is a St Matthew that I can sit through all the way. The performances are dramatized well but not excessively so. And it's recorded in excellent SACD 5.0 surround.
I don't know a version with modern instruments that holds my interest all the way through.
My favorite
I enjoy Klemperer's. My limit in his case is my bladder, not my attention span.
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