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Weihnachts-Oratorium BWV 248
Conducted by Karl Richter
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Christmas Oratorio/Richter |
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Joan M. Thomas wrote (May 29, 2003):
Does anyone know where I might find a new or used copy of the Richter recording of the Christmas Oratorio? Having just ordered from Engoland Harry Chrsitophers' version, I should very much like to become acquainted with "the other end of the spectrum," so to speak. The Richter seems to be available only as part of a 10-CD set which includes the SMP, SJP, B Minor Mass etc. I have Richter's recording of those other major vocal works, and, while I love all of them, I really have no wish, owing to considerations of money and space, to duplicate them. Any suggestions as to where I might be able to obtain a stand-alone copy of Richter's version of the Christmas Oratorio will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks! |
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Peter Bright wrote (May 29, 2003):
[To Joan M. Thomas] I'm pretty sure that the Richter Christmas Oratorio should be widely available separately to the other works. I have seen it recently in the shops here in Cambridge and it is available online at: Amazon.co.uk
This was the only site I tried and I am sure it will be available for you closer to home. |
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Joan M. Thomas wrote (Maay 29, 2003):
[To Peter Bright] Thank you so much for the information. In searching for the Richter, I had tried all my usual haunts--Tower, HB Direct, Amazon US and Crotchet—but had no luck. I must admit that I hadn't tried Amazon UK. I am still old-fashioned enough to be a trifle nervous about ordering online from the larger outlets when it involves shipments from abroad, but, in this case, I shall certainly take the plunge!
Thanks again. |
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Bob Henderson wrote (May 29, 2003):
[To Joan M. Thomas] The Richter 'Christmas Oratorio' is also available at ArkivMusic.com for 43. US. The release date is listed as June 2003 (?). You would lose money I guess if you live in UK. |
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Pete Blue wrote (May 29, 2003):
[To Joan M. Thomas] Since you don't seem to be averse to ordering from the UK (you
mentioned that Crotchet Web is a "usual haunt" of yours), I will tell you that I have often had better luck with MDT (that is, www.mdt.co.uk) . I notice that MDT sells the Richter CO for BPS 13.40 (about US $22) and their overseas shipping charge is a straight BPS 0.75 per CD. Service has always been fast and reliable. |
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Gene Hanson wrote (May 29, 2003):
[To Pete Blue] I also have found MDT fast, reliable, and reasonably priced. |
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Joan M. Thomas wrote (June 2, 2003):
Thanks, everyone, for the helpful suggestions as to where I might find a recording of the Richter version of the CO. For some weeks now, I have been reading the postings on the Bach Cantatas web site, but have only very recently joined the mailing list. Although I am unlikely to be able to contribute anything to in-depth analytical study, I am nonetheless greatly looking forward to this week's discussion of BWV 133. |
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Richter Wehnachts-Oratorium |
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Roland Wörner wrote (September 6, 2003):
David Glenn Lebut Jr wrote:
< There are some problems I have with Richter, for example. The next-to-last movement in his recording of the Weinachtsoratorium he scores for full choir instead of (as Bach has it) 4 soli. >
Deutsche Grammophon released in 1965 on a not-for-sale LP (rereleased on CD in Japan) excerpts from the rehearsel and recording sessions of Bach's Christmas Oratorio by Karl Richter. It may be interessting that Richter rehearses this last "Recitativo à 4" (neither chorus nor soli) in that recording only with the soloists. They repeat it several times, and one can hear, that, for example, Christa Ludwig has trouble to find her notes. Later Richter changed his mind and recorded it with the choir.
Personally I remember that Fritz Werner, who did the Christmas Oratorio every year from 1952 to 1973, once said in a rehearsel: "I can't imagine this Recitativo sung by the soloists with their 'beeping' voices. Here I need the power of the full choir.".
So, be it historically correct or not, we have to take these decisions as artistic decisions in their time, and, maybe in a special situation. |
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David Glenn Lebut Jr. wrote (September 7, 2003):
[To Roland Wörner] I think, though, that you missed the point. If you had read the post I was responding to, you would have caught what I was trying to say. Personally, I have no problem with it. However, when one goes to the score, it does have it as 4 soli, not choir, and therefore from that stance has a problem with it. That (and also the harpsichord inclusion), by the way, is what (at least for me) saves the Rilling
recording of the work. |
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Alex Riedlmayer wrote (September 7, 2003):
David Glenn Lebut Jr. wrote:
< Personally, I have no problem with it. However, when one goes to the score, it does have it as 4 soli, not choir, and therefore from that stance has a problem with it. >
Now, which score are you relying on, and how can you tell its indications are authoritative? |
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