Johann Sebastian Bach - St. Matthew Passion (Karajan)

CD1
1. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.1 Chorus I/II:
 "Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen"	Wiener Singverein	9:21
2. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.2 Evangelist, Jesus:
 "Da Jesus diese Rede vollendet hatte"	Peter Schreier	0:52
3. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.3 Choral:
 "Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen"	Wiener Singverein	1:14
4. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.4 Evangelist:
 "Da versammeleten sich die Hohenpriester" / No.5 Chor: "Ja nicht auf das Fest"	Peter Schreier	0:41	
5. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.6 Evangelist:
 "Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien" / No.7 Chorus: "Wozu dienet dieser Unrat?"	Peter Schreier	0:59
6. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.8 Evangelist, Jesus:
 "Da das Jesus merkete"	Peter Schreier	1:56
7. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.9 Recitative (Alto):
 "Du lieber Heiland du"	Christa Ludwig	1:07	
8. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.10 Aria (Alto):
 "Buss und Reu"	Christa Ludwig	5:23
9. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.11 Evangelist, Judas:
 "Da ging hin der Zwölfen einer"	Peter Schreier	0:36	
10. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.12 Aria (Soprano):
 "Blute nur, du liebes Herz"	Gundula Janowitz	5:03	
11. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.13 Evangelist:
 "Aber am ersten Tage" / No.14 Chor: "Wo willst du, dass wir dir bereiten"	Peter Schreier	0:40
12. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.15 Evangelist, Jesus:
 "Er sprach: Gehet hin in die Stadt"	Peter Schreier	1:57	
13. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.16 Choral:
 "Ich bin's, ich sollte büssen"	Wiener Singverein	1:11
14. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.17 Evangelist, Jesus, Judas:
 "Er antwortete und sprach"	Peter Schreier	4:02
15. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.18 Recitative (Soprano):
 "Wiewohl mein Herz in Tränen schwimmt"	Gundula Janowitz	1:48
16. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.19 Aria (Soprano):
 "Ich will dir mein Herz schenken"	Gundula Janowitz	4:02	
17. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.20 Evangelist, Jesus:
 "Und da sie den Lobgesang gesprochen hatten"	Peter Schreier	1:15	
18. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.21 Choral:
 "Erkenne mich, mein Hüter"	Wiener Singverein	1:34
19. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.22 Evangelist, Jesus, Petrus:
 "Petrus aber antwortete"	Peter Schreier	1:12	
20. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.23 Choral:
 "Ich will hier bei dir stehen"	Wiener Singverein	1:33	
21. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.24 Evangelist, Jesus:
 "Da kam Jesus mit ihnen zu einem Hofe"	Peter Schreier	2:03
22. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.25 Recitative (Tenor, Chorus II):
 "O Schmerz! hier zittert das gequälte Herz"	Horst Laubenthal	2:15	
23. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.26 Aria (Tenor):
 "Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen" with Chorus:
  "So schlafen unsre Sünden ein"	Horst Laubenthal	5:18
24. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.27 Evangelist, Jesus:
 "Und ging hin ein wenig"	Peter Schreier	0:56	
25. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.28 Recitative (Bass):
 "Der Heiland fällt vor seinem Vater nieder"	Walter Berry	1:25
26. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.29 Aria (Bass):
 "Gerne will ich mich bequemen"	Walter Berry	7:01
27. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.30 Evangelist, Jesus:
 "Und er kam zu seinen Jüngern"	Peter Schreier	1:34	
28. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.31 Choral:
 "Was mein Gott will, da g'scheh allzeit"	Wiener Singverein	1:41
29. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.32 Evangelist, Jesus, Judas:
 "Und er kam und fand sie aber schlafend"	Peter Schreier	2:48

CD2
1. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.33 Aria (Soprano, Alto, Chorus II):
 "So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen"	Gundula Janowitz	5:25
2. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.34 Evangelist, Jesus:
 "Und siehe, einer aus denen"	Peter Schreier	2:57
3. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part One - No.35 Choral:
 "O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß"	Wiener Singverein	7:24
4. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.36 Aria (Alto, Chorus II):
 "Ach nun ist mein Jesu hin"	Christa Ludwig	4:51
5. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.37 Evangelist:
 "Die aber Jesum gegriffen hatten"	Peter Schreier	1:05
6. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.38 Choral:
 "Mir hat die Welt trüglich gericht"	Wiener Singverein	1:07	
7. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.39 Evangelist, Pontifex, Testis I/II:
 "Und wiewohl viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten"	Peter Schreier	1:15
8. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.40 Recitative (Tenor):
 "Mein Jesus schweigt zu falschen Lügen stille"	Horst Laubenthal	1:22
9. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.41 Aria (Tenor):
 "Geduld! Wenn mich falsche Zungen Stechen"	Horst Laubenthal	5:22
10. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.42 Evangelist, Pontifex, Jesus, Chorus I/II:
 "Und der Hohepriester antwortete"	Peter Schreier	1:45
11. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.43 Evangelist/Chorus I/II
 "Da speieten sie aus in sein Ange-sicht"	Peter Schreier	0:36	
12. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.44 Choral:
 "Wer hat dich so geschlagen"	Wiener Singverein	1:15
13. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.45 Evangelist, Ancilla I + II, Petrus:
 "Petrus aber sass draussen" / No. 46 Chorus: "Wahrlich, du bist auch einer von denen"	Peter Schreier	2:53
14. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.47 Aria (Alto):
 "Erbarme dich, mein Gott"	Christa Ludwig	7:12
15. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.48 Choral:
 "Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen"	Wiener Singverein	1:38	
16. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.49 Evangelist, Judas, Chorus:
 "Des Morgens aber hielten" No.50 Evangelist, Pontifexes: "Und er warf die Silberlinge in den Tempel"	Peter Schreier	1:51	
17. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.51 Aria (Bass):
 "Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder"	Walter Berry	3:52	
18. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.52 Evangelist, Pilatus, Jesus:
 "Sie hielten aber einen Rat"	Peter Schreier	2:22	
19. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.53 Choral:
 "Befiel du deine Wege"	Wiener Singverein	1:40
20. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.54 Evangelist, Pilatus, Uxor Pilati, Chorus I/II:
 "Auf das Fest aber hatte der Landpfleger Gewohnheit"	Erna Berger	2:29
21. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.55 Choral:
 "Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe"	Wiener Singverein	1:11
22. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.56 Evangelist, Pilatus:
 "Der Landpfleger sagte"	Peter Schreier	0:18
23. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.57 Recitative (Soprano):
 "Er hat uns allen wohlgetan"	Gundula Janowitz	1:23
24. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.58 Aria (Soprano):
 "Aus Liebe will mein Heiland Sterben"	Gundula Janowitz	5:37

CD3
1. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.59 Evangelist, Chorus I/II, Pilatus:
 "Sie schrieen aber noch mehr"	Peter Schreier	1:59
2. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.60 Recitative (Alto):
 "Erbarm es Gott"	Christa Ludwig	1:30
3. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.61 Aria (Alto):
 "Können Tränen meiner Wangen"	Christa Ludwig	9:07	
4. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.62 Evangelist, Chorus I/II:
 "Da nahmen die Kriegsknechte"	Peter Schreier	1:10	
5. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.63 Choral:
 "O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden"	Wiener Singverein	3:25
6. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.64 Evangelist:
 "Und da sie ihn verspotten hatten"	Peter Schreier	0:57	
7. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.65 Recitative (Bass):
 "Ja freilich will in uns das Fleisch und Blut"	Walter Berry	0:42
8. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.66 Aria (Bass):
 "Komm, süsses Kreuz"	Walter Berry	6:53	
9. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.67 Evangelist, Chorus I/II:
 "Und da sie an die Stätte kamen"	Peter Schreier	3:26	
10. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.68 Evangelist:
 "Desgleichen schmäheten ihn auch die Mörder"	Peter Schreier	0:15	
11. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.69 Recitative (Alto):
 "Ach Golgatha"	Christa Ludwig	1:53
12. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.70 Aria (Alto, Chorus II):
 "Sehet, Jesus hat die Hand" - "Wohin?"	Christa Ludwig	3:48
13. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.71 Evangelist, Jesus, Chorus I/II:
 "Und von der sechsten Stunde an" - "Der rufet dem Elias" - "Und bald lief" - "Halt!"
  - "Aber Jesus schriee abermal"	Peter Schreier	2:43
14. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.72 Choral:
 "Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden"	Wiener Singverein	2:05	
. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.73 Evangelist, Chorus I/II:
 "Und siehe da, der Vorhang im Tempel zerriss" / "Und es waren viel Weiber da"	Peter Schreier	2:49
16. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.74 Recitative (Bass):
 "Am Abend, da es kühle war"	Walter Berry	2:30	
17. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.75 Aria (Bass):
 "Mache dich, mein Herze, rein"	Walter Berry	7:27	
18. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.76 Evangelist, Chorus I/II, Pilatus:
 "Und Joseph nahm den Leib" - "Herr, wir haben gedacht" - "Pilatus sprach zu ihnen"	Peter Schreier	2:56	
19. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.77 Recitative (Soprano,Alto,Tenor,Bass,Chorus II):
 "Nun ist der Herr zur Ruh gebracht" with Chorus: "Mein Jesu, gute Nacht"	Gundula Janowitz	2:24
20. St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244 / Part Two - No.78 Chorus I/II:
 "Wir setzen uns mit Tränen nieder"	Wiener Singverein	7:19

Paul Schöffler (Bass Baritone), 
Irmgard Seefried (Soprano), 
Walter Berry (Bass Baritone),
Erich Kaufmann (Bass), 
Harald Pröglhöf (Baritone), 
Fritz Uhl (Tenor),
Otto Wiener (Baritone), 
Anny Felbermayer (Soprano), 
Gisela Ratauscher (Soprano),
Magdalena Stowasser (Alto), 
Walther Ludwig (Tenor), 
Otto Edelmann (Bass Baritone),
Kathleen Ferrier (Alto), 
Rosl Sterba (Soprano).

Vienna Boys' Choir,  Vienna Friends of Music Society Chorus
Vienna Symphony Orchestra
Herbert von Karajan – conductor

The St. Matthew's Passion by J.S. Bach is quite possibly my favorite classical work. Bach's musical genius is the standard for the study of music in the world today.

The first thing that strikes the listener on this recording is a wonderfully powerful and thickly textured orchestral introduction to the opening chorus as performed by one of the greatest orchestras in the world, the Berlin Philharmonic. They are under the baton of the late Herbert von Karajan, one of the greatest conductors of this century. His interpretations are drastically different than those of other great conductors, Leonard Bernstein for example, but they are masterful all the same.

The Chorus in this recording is unfortunately not up to the standards of the orchestra and soloists. Tuning is the foremost issue. However, to their credit, they followed Karajan's musical perspective fairly well, and there were even moments when they turned in a very effective and moving performance. The soloists, however, are another story alltogether. This recording presents to the listener an all-star cast of singers. Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, Peter Schrier (Screamer), Christa Ludwig, Gundula Janowitz, Walter Barry, and even the lesser known bass and tenor, Anton Diakov and Horst Laubenthal really make this recording one of the greatest of this passion. Dieskau, probably the greatest, most prolific baritone of this century, played an inspiring Jesus. Schrier, the Evangelist, shows on this recording why he was considered the quintessential Evangelist (It was also his favorite role to sing). Walter Barry, the underestimated bass sings the recitative/arias with beautiful tone and masterful musicality. Christa Ludwig, the famous alto/contralto sings the alto recit/arias with her enveloping, smooth, deep voice. Her phrasing is particularly excellent. Finally, Gundula Janowitz brings her unique soprano sound to the soprano recit/arias. Her voice is an aquired taste for some, but I would encourage everyone to explore her recordings more. Her vibrato may seem strange, but as a trained singer, I can assure you her voice is very free and quite the ideal for this style. Perhaps her best work is in the aria, "Aus Liebe will mein Heiland Sterben".

This recording is one of my favorites in my collection. The Orchestra is phenominal as are the soloists, and such a thing as the chorus singing out of tune can certainly be overlooked in the context of such a great performance (After all, most choruses do anyway). I HIGHLY recommend you add this timeless classic to your collection. --- Adam M Bruss (Michigan)

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