A benchmark Pergolesi Stabat Mater?

[Mark]

For me, this certainly is:



I've been aware for years of Emma Kirkby and her glowing reputation, but I'd never owned a recording that featured her until this one arrived today (bought for the bargain basement price of £1.48 from an offshore [tax-free] UK seller). My copy has the reissue cover artwork, rather than that shown above. I just played it through my AKG K501s - and wow! Isn't Kirkby's voice divine? Bowman's is pretty beautiful, too, as countertenors go.

So, with its period instrument playing, impeccable sound and a performance so wonderfully well balanced, this is now my reference recording over the other three versions I own (and that includes the visceral Rinaldo Alessandrini recording on Naive).

[Harry]

For me, this certainly is:



I've been aware for years of Emma Kirkby and her glowing reputation, but I'd never owned a recording that featured her until this one arrived today (bought for the bargain basement price of £1.48 from an offshore [tax-free] UK seller). My copy has the reissue cover artwork, rather than that shown above. I just played it through my AKG K501s - and wow! Isn't Kirkby's voice divine? Bowman's is pretty beautiful, too, as countertenors go.

So, with its period instrument playing, impeccable sound and a performance so wonderfully well balanced, this is now my reference recording over the other three versions I own (and that includes the visceral Rinaldo Alessandrini recording on Naive).

Jolly good I say, that is indeed a a fine recording, its part of a big box I am playing now, with 5 cd's of her wonderful art, and that of James Bowman.
This box was however only released in Holland for just 10,- euro's, since her fanbase in the Netherlands is the biggest in Europe.
On the first cd is your recording, all of it! Click on it, and it will enlarge.

[Choo Choo]

I also adore that recording, however over the years I've come to regard it as a bit of a guilty pleasure as I've listened to more sophisticated friends subjecting both Kirkby and Bowman to destructive criticism.

[Harry]

I also adore that recording, however over the years I've come to regard it as a bit of a guilty pleasure as I've listened to more sophisticated friends subjecting both Kirkby and Bowman to destructive criticism.

Me thinks your own ears are the best judge right?

[Mark]

I also adore that recording, however over the years I've come to regard it as a bit of a guilty pleasure as I've listened to more sophisticated friends subjecting both Kirkby and Bowman to destructive criticism.

Trust only your own ears, my friend.

[Choo Choo]

Me thinks your own ears are the best judge right?

Oh certainly.  My feelings re. sopranos are not that far removed from yours, Harry.

Trust only your own ears, my friend.

Oh I do, Mark, I do. 

[Que]

Mark, the tile of the thread ends with a question mark but I gather from your opening post is more of a statement!

Well, it's Alessandrini for me!



When I hear the Hogwood, or the one by Robert King for that matter: it sounds thouroughly British. But, if it works for you - enjoy!

Q

[Mark]

Mark, the tile of the thread end with a question mark but I gather from your opening post is more of a statement!

I didn't want to be controversial by appearing to claim in the thread title that this is the benchmark recording.

Well, it's Alessandrini for me!

When I hear the Hogwood, or the one by Robert King for that matter, I don't hear Pergolesi's Stabat Mater but more something like: Rule, Britannia! rules the waves....
In other words: it sounds thouroughly British. But, if it works for you - enjoy!

Q

I think I prefer the softness and sweetness of Kirkby's fruit.

[FideLeo]

Frenchified Pergolesi - Veronique Gens/Gerard Lesne/Seminario musicale
Flemish Cover Painting - Rogier van der Weyden 

[Que]

I think I prefer the softness and sweetness of Kirkby's fruit.

She is (and sings) lovely, Mark, no doubt about it.

Frenchified Pergolesi - Veronique Gens/Gerard Lesne/Seminario musicale

I used to be really into Gérard Lesne for a while, but now I can't stand him..  

Q

[Florestan]

I own this one and I'm perfectly happy with it.

[Mark]

Frenchified Pergolesi - Veronique Gens/Gerard Lesne/Seminario musicale
Flemish Cover Painting - Rogier van der Weyden 

Hmm ... I like Gens.

I own this one and I'm perfectly happy with it.

Oooh! I'll bet that's good.

[FideLeo]

Mark, the tile of the thread ends with a question mark but I gather from your opening post is more of a statement!

Well, it's Alessandrini for me!

When I hear the Hogwood, or the one by Robert King for that matter, I don't hear Pergolesi's Stabat Mater but more something like: Rule, Britannia! rule the waves....
In other words: it sounds thouroughly British. But, if it works for you - enjoy!

Q

Pergolesi alla maniera tedesca (X2)



When I hear this, I hear Pergolesi's music accompanying the following words :

Tilge, Höchester, meine Sünden... 

[Que]

Pergolesi alla maniera tedesca (X2)



When I hear this, I hear Pergolesi's music accompanying the following words :

Tilge, Höchester, meine Sünden... 

Oh, but that is not just Italian with an accent but a real translation - by a master writer no less! 
And I don't have it, I'll certainly consider this!

Q

[Bunny]

Pergolesi alla maniera tedesca (X2)



When I hear this, I hear Pergolesi's music accompanying the following words :

Tilge, Höchester, meine Sünden... 

I actually bought that for the Bach.  It's a very good recording, to say the least.

[BorisG]

This stuff has short shelf-life. Along with  flute and most guitar music.

[FideLeo]

This stuff has short shelf-life. Along with  flute and most guitar music.

Pergolesi HAD short shelf-life.  He was barely 30 when he expired. 

[FideLeo]

I actually bought that for the Bach.  It's a very good recording, to say the least.

Did Hengelbrock throw in his chorus for the last movement?  I don't remember
since the cd has not been with me for some time.

[Harry]

Did Hengelbrock throw in his chorus for the last movement?  I don't remember
since the cd has not been with me for some time.

Stax for classical indeed. The first poster that I see with these headphones.
Bravo.

[lukeottevanger]

[re Bonney/Scholl]
Oooh! I'll bet that's good.

I have it myself, and I'm not convinced. Two beautiful voices, but they don't match as they ought, both timbrally and stylistically, to my ears. The couplings - a couple of Pergolesi Salve Reginas, one in F minor, one in A minor, one for each of the two featured singers - therefore come off better, and are beautiful pieces in their own right too.