Frank Martin's Golgotha

[Bulldog]

I noticed in one of the music periodicals that Harmonia Mundi has released Martin's oratorio Golgotha; also noticed that there are few other recordings of the work in print including versions on Hanssler, Profil, Cascavelle and Audite.

I'm not concerned with the quality of the work, but I have no idea of the relative merits of the various recordings.  Any insights would be appreciated.

[Daverz]

I'm interested in the quality of the work.  How does it compare to the Double Mass or In Terra Pax?  There do seem to be a lot of recordings of it.

EDIT: found this description on the Fanfare site: "More dramatic—operatic, really—than either In terra pax or Pilate, Golgotha is also less lyrical. The vocal parts are more declamatory or speech-inflected than they are melodic, but Martin's orchestral backdrop is no less luminescent and powerfully emotive."

Also, if I'm reading the back cover correctly, the HM comes with English translations whereas some of the other recordings don't.

[val]

This is my favorite version:
Soloists, Ensemble Vocal de Lausanne, Sinfonietta de Lausanne, Michel Corboz (CASCAVELLE)

The work is very powerful, but with a simplified language. Martin said that he had been influenced by Bach, Monteverdi and Mussorgski.
It is a very impressive work, even if I prefer more elaborated works such as Der Cornet.

[springrite]

The Hanssler recording is now available on Brilliant, for $3.98 at BRO. If you want the better cover, get the Hanssler at BRO for slightly more. Same recording though.

[springrite]

I think the Brilliant does not have text or translations. Hanssler surely has the booklet

[Wanderer]

I recently acquired the Reuss rendition on Harmonia Mundi and my initial impressions have been very positive. It's a very dramatic and powerful (but not bombastic) work, worthy of acquaintance and the performance is exemplary.

[RJR]

Try his violin concerto and instrumental orchestral works.

[springrite]

Try his violin concerto and instrumental orchestral works.

Yes, the violin concerto is a very good work. But if you have not, do try Der Cornet!