St John's Passion [Import]

This is a very enjoyable recording of the St. John Passion. The English translation is done to parallel the German almost word for word, so you hear the minor chord when the Evangelist mentions Judas' name, you hear Bach's tone painting of Peter's bitter weeping after his denial. Overall, I would say this is valuable for the English speaking Bach fan to fully appreciate Bach's "tone painting" and use of "motives." The music complements and underscores the words. The performance is done in the Baroque style. I have a "Romantic" recording of it in German. This performance is light and fresh.

This review is intended to be a contribution to some of the views and material written in the previous reviews of this recording.

But firstly it must be said that any question of translation is moot unless the music is well done. Well, es ist vollbracht! (it is accomplished!). Sorrell is a wonderful conductor who knows tempos, dynamics, drama, and clarity. And to have one of the great countertenors, Daniel Taylor, performing in Cleveland, is a tremendous coup. (note: I would love also to have heard the performance with the contralto Kirsten Sollek-Avella!). Sandra Simon was also tremendous.

Secondly, and I wish for the last time, the reason for period instruments is fundamentally one of clarity: the "lighter" voices of the baroque would be swamped by modern orchestras, particularly by their size. If Wagner & Verdi singer Jane Eaglen were signing the delicate soprano arias - and I'm not saying she couldn't do it - then bring on the big band sound! and I hope you enjoy the result. And I mean that sincerely. There are 30+ recordings of this regularly-performed piece; let each find his pleasure therein. The fact that Cleveland has a baroque orchestra and can support these sort of performances is a source of great honor and joy to that community.

Thirdly, the text.
Translated by the conductor and singers themselves (!!!) this is a rare gift in and of itself. The careful matching of English to German by singers who have sung those texts in Geman so many times is a beautiful labor of love. As the liner notes mention, this is a Luthern text and at the core of Luthern theology is the notion that the service is preached in the language of those who worship.

Whether or not one "worships" this music is an individual matter, naturally.

Lastly, I cannot disagree more with the notion that listeners of music cannot discern the words - and I know every singer who has worked so hard to be understood will agree here. Any and every song in any language MUST be comprehensible - or it is not well sung.

The Cleveland Baroque Orchestra with choir provides a vital and substantial English version of Bach's Passion According to St. John.

The orchestral performance is strong and balanced. The vocal soloists are admirable and full of fervour and the choir responses are vibrant and passionate.

I enjoy playing this version after listening to the German, which provides for a marvelous, alive experience. This is a most sufficient recording to provide that experience.