Matthaus-Passion [Blu-ray]

St Matthew Passion
This is THE only blu-ray of St. Matthew Passion in the U.S. market. So I took a chance to purchase without waiting for its review on major music magazines such as BBC Music or Gramophone. The image is sharp of course. But it is also well played and sung without making a fuss of comparing it to the die hard reference audio recordings such as Richter, etc., I have those. But life moves on that I need new experience in sight and sound if the performances are still strong enough.

That said, I enjoy this blu-ray expecting repeated watching and listening.

Not the only one
In all fairness, I need to correct the earlier review. This is NOT the only recording on blu-ray. I already own the Peter Sellers production from Berlin, conducted by Simon Rattle. And no - you don't have to pay $333. Just shop around with some other internet retailers like Presto Classical. It's available in both DVD and Blu-Ray, just make sure to order the NTSC version (not PAL). I don't want to take attention away from this Leipzig Recording , which is probably also great (in fact, I ordered a copy for myself) - but it's NOT the only option on blu-ray. And the Sellers/Rattle production is a real gem in its own right - very innovative and moving.

Great Performance from Leipzig
The St. Mathew Passion by J.S. Bach could easily rank as one of the most awesome works of music ever written--2 hours and 40 minutes of great music by not 1 but 2 orchestras and chorus creating quite a spectacle.
The new BluRay DVD by the St. Thomas Choir of Leipzig, an 800 year old institution that Bach himself graduated from, is both daring and eloquent and yet very true to the style of the period.
One bold departure from the traditional voicing of the work is the performance of Stefan Kahle, a male alto singing a part traditionally sung by a woman. A highly disciplined performer, Kahle renders every solo with an eloquence and beauty I have never heard in any previous performances. This is especially true in the exquisite duo for violin and alto: Erbarme dich, mein gott. Backed by a superb violinist, this aria is breathtaking. I highly recommend this.

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