BR Klassik has released so far some Baroque works with the glorious Bayerischen Rundfunks Chor, including the Bach Christmas Oratorio, Handel´s Israel in Egypt and the Bach Magnificat plus the Handel Dixit Dominus.
One is happy that for these projects they have hired the wonderful Concerto Köln instead of their own marvelous but very modern Bayerischen Rundfunks Symphonieorchester.
The St. Matthew Passion obviously has overwhelming competition, but this live recording from the Herkulessaal more than holds it´s own. The choir is large by today standards, some 50 or 60 strong, but it sings splendidly, with crystal clear diction and vibrato-less period fashion. After the minimalist recordings of McCreesh, Butt and Kuijken, it´s reassuring to hear a real choir in the Great Passion whether Bach used it or not [in spite of the beautiful results of one to a part, I can´t be convinced that 12 singers could fill St. Thomas].
But most important, Peter Dijkstra [the chorus master of the Bayerischen Rundfunks], understands the score, knows how to pace it, and renders a very spiritual and satisfying performance. Of the soloists only Karina Gauvin is well known, but they all sing splendidly. Young tenor Julian Prégardien, son of Christoph who recorded the Evangelist for Leonhardt in 1990 and Harnoncourt in 2000, essays the daunting part with admirable success, no doubt prepared by his own daddy.
Of course there are many glorious recordings of the St. Matthew´s Passion, including the Harnoncourt 2000 and the more recent René Jacobs, and why not the beautiful McCreesh too, but this one is a real performance, in which the message is convincingly delivered. I loved it.
