Johannes-Passion BWV 245 - conducted by Eugen Jochum

SJP on “eloquence?

Ehud Shiloni wrote (November 22, 2001):

Here is a delicacy I recently picked-up:

There is an apparently new budget series going by the name "eloquence" which re-issues older recordings by DG+Decca+Philips Classics including several by JSB.

I bought a single CD with highlights of the SJP from a Philips recording originally issued in 1967, conducted by Eugen Jochum.

It features the Netherland Radio Choir and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - probably as non-HIP as you can get, but what a performance! Luckily not only Arias and Choruses are featured but also two trial scenes [nos. 21 and 23] which give you the chance to hear the phenomenally powerful evangelist Ernst Haefliger - stunning! The other soloists are very good to excellent - Walter Berry [Jesus], Agnes Giebel [s], Marga Hoffgen [a] and Franz Crass [b]. Only the tenor Alexander Young was sub-par [to my own taste].

The tempos are measured, and especially the chorals are very slow, but even to my HIP-trained ears the overall effect is very convincing. An important feature is the great sound of the recording ? surprisingly clear for its "age", and with the full and rich sound of large scale forces, supported by what I believe is a "full size" organ in the continuo, it all combines to a very "lush" and strong projection. There are hardly any liner notes, so I cannot say for sure, but my guess is that the recording took place at the Concertgebouw Hall with its incredibly good accoustics ? the recording certainly does sound that good.

Highly recommended!

Aryeh Oron wrote (November 28, 2001):
< Ehud Shiloni wrote: Here is a delicacy I recently picked-up: There is an apparently new budget series going by the name "eloquence" which re-issues older recordings by DG+Decca+Philips Classics including several by JSB.
I bought a single CD with highlights of the SJP from a Philips recording originally issued in 1967, conducted by Eugen Jochum. >
There is a cheap complete recording of this SJP on Philips Duo series
467173-2 (2-CD, coupled with Cantata BWV 140 conducted by Raymond Leppard).

< It features the Netherland Radio Choir and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra - probably as non-HIP as you can get, but what a performance! Luckily not only Arias and Choruses are featured but also two trial scenes [nos. 21 and 23] which give you the chance to hear the phenomenally powerful evangelist Ernst Haefliger - stunning! The other soloists are very good to excellent - Walter Berry [Jesus], Agnes Giebel [s], Marga Hoffgen [a] and Franz Crass [b]. Only the tenor Alexander Young was sub-par [to my own taste]. >
IMHO, Haefliger is even better in his recording of SJP with Karl Richter (1964), more peneterating, more heart-rending

< The tempos are measured, and especially the chorals are very slow, but even to my HIP-trained ears the overall effect is very convincing. An important feature is the great sound of the recording ? surprisingly clear for its "age", and with the full and rich sound of large scale forces, supported by what I believe is a "full size" organ in the continuo, it all combines to a very "lush" and strong projection. There are hardly any liner notes, so I cannot say for sure, but my guess is that the recording took place at the Concertgebouw Hall with its incredibly good accoustics ? the recording certainly does sound that good. >
Indeed. It was recorded in Concergebouw Amsterdam.

< Highly recommended! >
Agree.

Eugen Jochum: Short Biogrophy | Bayerischer Rundfunk Symphonieorchester | Recordings of Vocal Works
Individual Recordings: BWV 232 - E. Jochum | BWV 245 - E. Jochum

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