A few notes on Bach Concert Series's 'St. Matthew Passion'
I stopped by Christ Lutheran Church Sunday afternoon for Part II of the "St. Matthew Passion" in a presentation by the Bach Concert Series. It was good to be in the presence again of Bach's profound music, even if there were some drawbacks to the realization.
Conductor T. Herbert Dimmock did not always keep his forces on track. But he ensured that many of the score's most dramatic moments, such as the shocking cry of "Barabas" from the choir, registered strongly, and he shaped the chorales quite sensitively.
The chorus needed greater clarity of articulation in the busiest contrapuntal passages, and could have used more actual tenors and firmer basses. At their best, though, the choristers came through with enough sonic and expressive weight.
Half the soloists ...
lacked consistency of technique and/or tone. The others, though, proved rewarding. Baritone Benjamin Park's warm sound and eloquent phrasing made "Mache dich, mein Herze, rein" a highpoint. Likewise, Monica Reinagel's richly communicative singing made the alto solos glow tellingly. Soprano Jennifer Young's sweet tone proved a boon.
The orchestra occasionally turned slippery, but also contributed mightily to the experience overall, with particularly elegant work from the concertmaster and wind soloists.
Comments
Correction, please. You have their name wrong. Their name is "Bach Concert Series." The Bach Society folded ages ago, and BCS is a totally different group. Will you fix that in your article?
One of my many Freudian slips (you would think I wouldn't do that so soon after getting it right in another blog post). I have made the correction. Thanks for letting me know. TS
Posted by: TOM | April 3, 2012 12:31 PM
Day II was probably tough on them after all that evergy of Part I the night before. If you thought "Baraba" was exciting, In part I, during a lovely duet between the soprano and alto, the choir's interjection of Lasst ihn . . . haltet . . . bindet nichts" had people like me who didn't know it was coming, jumping out of the pews each time, with that sound rocking the rafters.
Posted by: Julie | April 4, 2012 10:12 AM