Reviews (ours or others') of discs we find outstanding.

[jlaurson]

BACH, Matthew Passion BWV244, Enoch zu Guttenberg, Neubeuern Choral Society & KlangVerwaltung Orchestra — Farao 108035

I've not been moved that much by a recording in a long time... so I thought I'd share a longer review I wrote about it for WETA here.
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On my "Easter Pilgrimage" last year, I heard Enoch zu Guttenberg's Matthew Passion on the Munich leg of the tour. Guttenberg and his Neubeuern Choir are a local musical force, much loved and admired in the region. His pick-up band, which he coyly named "SoundAdministration Orchestra", consists of members of the best European orchestras (Berlin Philharmonic, Concertgebouw, et al.) and local players—including soloists from the Munich Philharmonic and the Rosamunde String Quartet. Guttenberg's performance of the Matthew Passion around Easter are an institution, known to be consistently individual, 'unique' interpretations. When I sat in the Philharmonic Hall on Good Friday to listen to what was my fourth Matthew Passion in six days, I spectacularly failed to get it.

Part of the problem: I listened lazily. I didn't participate; I simply wanted to let the music do the work of enthralling me. A miscalculation, as it turned out, because as I did not bother with the text, the musical choices of Guttenberg ended up annoying me to no end. Unable or unwilling to put them in context, I found the interpretation awkward, the performance disappointed me, and that disappointment angered me.

A few weeks after Easter I was sent the Guttenberg 2003 recording (apparently just now issued or re-issued outside Germany by Farao). Knowing several expert ears to be very fond of Guttenberg's very particular interpretation, I had the chance to give it another try, to give it its due time, respect, and engagement. That made all the difference.

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