New recording of St. John Passion (1725 Version)

Marten Breuer wrote (April 30, 2000):
During his lifetime, Bach performed the St. John Passion four times: as far as we know today, the performances took place in 1724, 1725, in the 1730ies and in 1749. Additionally, Bach began a revision of the score in 1739 which he abruptely broke off in section 10 and which was completed later by one of Bach's pupils. Most variations can be found in version two from 1725 where Bach replaced the opening-chorus, several arias and the final chorale by old - or, as some experts assume today, by newly composed - pieces.

The vast majority of recordings of the St. John Passion follow the 1739 score. Two recordings (one by Max, the other by Suzuki) contain the 1749 version. Yet two others (Rilling's new recording from 1996 and Schreier's recording) offer the alternative pieces from the 1725 version as appendices. However, there has been no complete recording of the 1725 version so far.

This deplorable situation has been remedied now by an excellent new recording.

Label: MDG (Musikproduktion Dabringhaus und Grimm)

Ruth Holton, soprano
Bogna Bartosz, alto
Markus Brutscher, tenor
Thomas Laske, baritone (Jesus, arias)
Tom Sol, bass (Petrus, Pilatus)

Kölner Kammerchor
Collegium Cartusianum
Cond.: Peter Neumann

The Kölner Kammerchor consists of 18 singers (5-5-4-4) and does a quasi-perfect job. Each of the soloists sings on a very high level, but to me, none of them is as remarkable and exceptional as the evangelist Thomas Brutscher. I had the great pleasure to listen to him in a performance of the St. John Passion in Hanover on good Friday. What he did - and does on the recording - is pretty incredible. He has a strong voice, but at the same time he is able to sing very softly even in the highest ranges. He is still very young (midst 20) and I am completely sure that he will have a great carreer.

The recording is - 'naturally' - hip, and I find Peter Neumann's interpretation absolutely convincing. Not only to those who are interested in the alternative versions of the St. John Passion, this recording is strongly recommendable.

Donald Satz wrote (May 1, 2000):
Marten Breuer provided an enthusiastic opinion of the new St. John Passion from Peter Neumann on MDG. I just wanted to relate that Neumann's alto, Bogna Bartosz, is on at least one of the Koopman Bach Cantata volumes; I find the voice and its impact better than any other alto voice I've heard in many years.

P. Neumann Johannes Passion

Bach Kenner wrote (January 29, 2001):
Hallo to everyone, I'm a new member!

Has anybody bought or heard the Johannes Passion recorded by Peter Neumann on MDG records?I'm really interested in it because it is the 1725 version first world recording but the review on French magazine "Repertoire" was not so good (5/10, great playing but bad singing)...

William D. Kasimer wrote (January 30, 2001):
(To Bach Kenner) I haven't heard the Neumann, but don't both Rilling's and Slowik's versions supply all of the music for 1725 as appendices? Both are splendid recordings, and very well sung.

Peter Neumann: Short Biography | Kölner Kammerchor | Collegium Cartusianum | Recordings of Vocal Works | BWV 245 - P. Neumann