Performer: Alex Potter

Ton Koopman’s Elbphilharmonie debut brings warmth, wit and stylistic brilliance to Bach’s festive cantatas, in a radiant Early Music season finale that balances ceremonial splendour with vivid, human-scale musicianship.

****1

Biblical Handel: Athalia in Halle

Loading image...

Sandra Bowdler, 26 May

Handel's third English oratorio is presented in strictly traditional fashion at the 2024 Halle Handel Festival but nonetheless generates drama, excitement and excellent singing.

****1

Herreweghe achieves purity and unity in Bach's Mass in B minor

Nahoko Gotoh, 14 Jun

There are multiple ways of approaching Bach's Mass in B minor, from the one-to-a-part advocated by Joshua Rifkin to a more conventional large choral approach, and everything in between.

****1

A disappointing Mass in B minor from the BBCSO

Stephen Pritchard, 02 Feb

Even Baroque specialist John Butt could not persuade the BBC Symphony Chorus to sing in tune

***11

Bachs Matthäus-Passion mit Herreweghe in Zürich

Thomas Schacher, 04 Apr

Chor und Orchester des Collegium Vocale Gent und ihr charismatischer Leiter Philippe Herreweghe, längst Legenden der historischen Aufführungspraxis, beweisen, dass die Doppelchörigkeit der Matthäus-Passion nicht nur ein Stereo-Phänomen ist.

****1

Herrewegue dirige una excepcional Pasión según san Mateo

Loading image...

Jorge Baeza Stanicic, 31 Mar

Philippe Herreweghe ofreció una versión de la Pasión según san Mateo al frente del coro y la orquesta Collegium Vocale Gent de notable factura, emocionante y extremadamente expresiva.

****1

Watch VideoSee more...

NaardenBach's St Matthew Passion

On demand from Grote Kerk, Naarden, No time limit

Bach: St Matthew Passion, BWV244

Jos van Veldhoven; Nederlandse Bachvereniging; Kampen Boys Choir; Benjamin Hulett; Andreas Wolf