Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Robin Blaze, Yoshikazu Mera :: Bach: Johannes-Passion; Matthäus-Passion

Some of Bach's Best

A. Craig | Grand Junction,CO | 10/17/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This Box Set brings together Two of Bach's finest works. The St, John Passion and the St. Matthew Passion and at a wonderful price. These performances by the Bach Collegium Japan under Masaaki Suzuki are some of his best performances of Bach. Gerd Turk especially delivers some moving and beautiful singing. The other soloists aquit themselves quite well. If you own any of the recordings of the Suziki, BCJ Bach Cantata series this

box set is a must have. The BIS label as usual delivers excellent sound. This set is a bargin considering that a good recording of the St. Matthew

Passon can run you at least $40 - $50. Highly Recommended."

St. Matt? None better than this one

Richard R. Bunbury | Roslindale, MA United States | 03/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Much to my horror, I inadverdently left this recording's CDs in an airplane back seat pocket a couple of years ago. I had enjoyed a mini-retreat listening to this melifluous performance of Bach's Magnificent St. Matthew Passion by the Collegium of Japan, and was eager to continue listing at home. No problem, I thought. I'll buck up and buy another copy. Lo, and behold, none was available, even on Amazon.com! Herrweghe's recording showed up on a search, however. Good. I smiled. I respect his work and have heard his group on numerous recordings and in live concerts. Surely it would be top drawer. I was surprisingly disappointed in it. Nonetheless, I continued to hope that someday I'd get hold of Masusaka's. Voila! Here it is bundled with the St. John Passion (which I don't need, but will be curious to hear).



What does Japan Collegium do that is so remarkable? Like any musical performance, it is the synergy of countless nuances and subtleties of expression that captivate Bach's rhetorical and musical message. The soloists and period instrumentalists seem to have a clear grasp of German Lutheran piety and draw the listner in to its cosmos. It is a technically flawless rendering, free of anxious tempi and full of luscious sonorities. I am thrilled to be ordering it again, and highly recommend it."