Matthäus-Passion
St. Matthew Passion
York · Gooding · Kozená · Bickley
Padmore · Gilchrist · Harvey · Loges
Gabrieli Players
Paul McCreesh
Int. Release 03 Mar. 2003
2 CDs / Download
0289 474 2002 6 2 CDs DDD AH2
ARCHIV Produktion
Gramophone - Jonathan Freeman-Attwood
[May 2003 CD of the Month] In the distinguished performance history of the Great Passion, this is a dynamic and powerful new reading.... There is some outstandingly characterized singing to be heard here.... A memorably and vitally conceived new account.
International Record Review - Simon Heighes
This is the most radical reassessment of the St. Matthew Passion since Nikolaus Harnoncourt's pioneering period-instrument recording some 30 years ago. McCreesh's version may not be flawless, but to my ears it is a marvellous first attempt at recording the work with very small-scale forces -- in fact, it's a complete vindication of the approach.
BBC Online - Graeme Kay
Padmore is now the leading British Evangelist of his generation, but all eight singers rise impeccably to the twin challenges of distinctive solo arias and blending as a chorus. The set as a whole exudes an entirely captivating intimacy: the moments of highest drama, paradoxically, are enhanced and not diminished by the absence of a big chorus.
This is the most radical reassessment of the St. Matthew Passion since Nikolaus Harnoncourt's pioneering period-instrument recording some 30 years ago. McCreesh's version may not be flawless, but to my ears it is a marvellous first attempt at recording the work with very small-scale forces -- in fact, it's a complete vindication of the approach.