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SMP by Herman Max (SMP on Capriccio)
Matthew Westphal wrote (November 8, 1999):
< Wim Huisjes wrote: which Otto on Capriccio would that be? It's not listed in the German Bielefelder Katalog. >
OOPS! It's conducted not by Ralf Otto, but by Hermann Max.
Bach: St. Matthew Passion
Christoph Prégardien (Evangelist), Klaus Mertens (Christus), Monika Frimmer, Veronika Winter, Lena Susanne Norin (who is wonderful), Wilfried Jochens, Hans-Georg Wimmer
Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
Hermann Max cond.
Capriccio 60 046-2
Sorry about the mistake!
Samuel Frederick wrote (June 5, 2000):
St Matthew Passion
Capriccio Records #60046 (5/1/96)
Cond: Hermann Max
Rheinische Kantorei, Das Kleine Konzert
With: Monica Frimmer, Veronika Winter, Lena Susanne Norine, Christoph Prégardien (wonderful), Wilfried Jochens, KM, Hans-Georg Wimmer
This looks like a great recording. Yes, Prégardien is wonderful, usually inspired. How are the other soloists? Is this recording still available?
Galina Kolomietz wrote (June 5, 2000):
(To Samuel Frederick) *** I heard Frimmer and Winter on other Max recordings - very white sopranos. I think they're great, especially Winter. I heard Lena Norin only with Ensemble Gilles Binchois. Her singing of Bach is bound to differ from her singing of medieval Lieder, but based on her singing w/ Ensemble Binchois she is the kind of mezzo that even an anti-mezzo person would like (a very focused voice). Jochens is sort of like Howard Crook. I think he sings w/ Cantus Cölln.
Matthew Westphal wrote (June 6, 2000):
(To Galina Kolomietz) Yes, Jochens does sing with Cantus Cölln -- and very well. Lena Susanne Norin gives (to my taste) the BEST rendering of the alto arias in the SMP that I've ever heard -- bar none. Winter and Frimmer are both good; Frimmer is sometimes shrill on other recordings, but not too bad here. The chorus and orchestra don't stick in my memory the way, say, Herreweghe's do, but they're quite acceptable. Nothing on this recording is bad -- and a lot, such as the female soloists, is very good indeed. Since Capriccio is a mid-price label, Max's SMP gets my vote for "best buy".
Samuel Frederick wrote (June 6, 2000):
< Matthew Westphal wrote: Since Capriccio is a mid-price label, Max's SMP gets my vote for "best buy". >
How is it that it fits on only 2 CD's?
Matthew Westphal wrote (June 6, 2000):
< Sam Frederick asks: How is it that it fits on only 2 CD's? >
Quickish tempos.
Samuel Frederick wrote (June 30, 2000):
I finally found a copy of Hermann Max' Matthew Passion (on Capriccio) and I'd like to share my impressions.
This is by far the most consistently satisfying recording of the SMP I have heard. I am very, very impressed. I also have the new Herreweghe, Brüggen, Suzuki, and Gardiner.
Although it doesn't state it anywhere in the notes or on the back of the CD, my ears tell me this is an ensemble with period instruments. It sounds very well.
Christoph Prégardien sings the evangelist, and my god is he stunning. I can hear every syllable, his diction is impeccable (wow! those consonants!). His voice is so rich and expressive throughout his range. I have never heard so fine a performance. The CD is worth it just for him!
Mertens also sings well, though I find him a little less powerful than Kooy, whom I prefer to Mertens.
My only complaint with the recitatives (other than the occasional disappointment from Mertens -- only, I'm sure, by comparison with Kooy), is the pace. At times they move a bit too swiftly.
Now to the soloists:
The sopranos (Monika Frimmer and Veronika Winter) sing nearly perfectly. They have very clear, almost vibrato-free voices in both low, middle and high ranges. This is remarkable. It seems the soprano arias are the ones which get the worst performances, and these are the first I can say I completely enjoy and at times find just perfect.
The soprano arias are nearly perfect, yes, but the alto arias are truly perfect! I normally prefer counter tenors, but Lena Susanne Norin, the mezzo on this recording, has a voice to put to shame all the men who I have heard sing these pieces. I can't describe it. Just listen!
The real disappointment is the tenor, Wilfried Jochens. Too much vibrato, not enough control. Ugly sound, to my ears. Too bad Max didn't recruit Paul Agnew or simply let Prégardien sing the arias as well. Why not?
Anyway, this recording is a must-hear, and at $15.99 here in the US, there's no excuse not to buy it.
Harry Steinman wrote (June 30, 2000):
(To Samuel Frederick) Sam...The Max recording sounds great! Can you provide label/catalog # info?
Samuel Frederick wrote (June 30, 2000):
(To Harry Steinman) Yes, Harry. It's on Capriccio. # 60 046-2. Released 1996. You're in Boston, right? The HMV in Cambridge has it, and I believe even Tower has it. If not, they can order it. I found it on-line at cdnow.com, but I had to search by label and catalog number. Just "Bach" and "Max" didn't do it.
Harry Steinman wrote (June 30, 2000):
(To Samuel Frederick) Thanks, Sam...ordered it from HB Direct so it should arrive in a few days. Just picked up and started listening to the Klemperer recording (wow!) So I'm gonna have a feast of Passions soon! Cheers.
Hermann Max : Short Biography | Rheinische Kantorei | Das Kleine Konzert | Recordings | General Discussions | BWV 244 - Max | BWV 245 – Max
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