Bach Passions recommendations please

[Ciaran]

A propos the Brüggen Haydn, the recording contains intermezzi by Ron Ford between the movements:

Attempts have been made to reconstruct the original setting, but in a concert hall, spoken commentary only interferes with the music, even more so on a recording. In respecting this objection, but at the same time desiring to create a meaningful space between the movements, Frans Brüggen invited the Dutch-American composer Ron Ford (Kansas City, 1959) to compose instrumental intermezzi. "This was a real challenge," says Ford. "I looked for a balance between contrast and creating suitable connections.With this sort of commission you have to ask yourself: what haven't we had yet? Haydn is punctual, logical, direct.What is missing is a sense of swell and ebb. I explored that route, with the sound of the Orchestra of the 18th Century in mind.Their breathing style of playing is unique in the world."

I remember hearing about that when this came out, and it's the reason I didn't get it at the time. Can you program out the intermezzi?

[james]

Thanks for the comments on Rilling .. I should probably think of getting another copy of the Mathew Passion. There is lots of good advice on this thread.
James

[Jose Echenique]

A propos the Brüggen Haydn, the recording contains intermezzi by Ron Ford between the movements:

Attempts have been made to reconstruct the original setting, but in a concert hall, spoken commentary only interferes with the music, even more so on a recording. In respecting this objection, but at the same time desiring to create a meaningful space between the movements, Frans Brüggen invited the Dutch-American composer Ron Ford (Kansas City, 1959) to compose instrumental intermezzi. "This was a real challenge," says Ford. "I looked for a balance between contrast and creating suitable connections.With this sort of commission you have to ask yourself: what haven't we had yet? Haydn is punctual, logical, direct.What is missing is a sense of swell and ebb. I explored that route, with the sound of the Orchestra of the 18th Century in mind.Their breathing style of playing is unique in the world."

I remember hearing about that when this came out, and it's the reason I didn't get it at the time. Can you program out the intermezzi?

Yes, of course, you can program them out, but they are so brief that they almost pass unnoticed.

[markof]

Got the Harnoncourt St. Matthew in the post yesterday - really love it.

Many thanks for the recommendations.



The packaging has changed but it's the recommended recording all right - marvellous.

Mark.

[Jose Echenique]

Got the Harnoncourt St. Matthew in the post yesterday - really love it.

Many thanks for the recommendations.



The packaging has changed but it's the recommended recording all right - marvellous.

Mark.

That´s the recording of course, and you can be confident that it´s a truly great recording that will be hard to beat.

[ZPC2THLgate]

I certainly look forward to dipping in and out of that festival of music!