Netherlands Bach Society, Jos Van Veldhoven - J.S. Bach: Mass in B minor (2007) [Official Digital Download 24/192]

Sometimes you come across a performance that may not be exactly to your taste, but is nonetheless so persuasive of its type that it disarms criticism. This is one. It's not quite a "one to a part" interpretation of the work, but with 10 choristers and eight strings, it is intimate, and that always risks minimizing the majesty that Bach built into the Sanctus, the eight-part Osanna, and the choruses with trumpets and drums. Jos van Veldhoven addresses this issue head-on, compensating with swift tempos and a light, dance-like treatment of rhythm that's wholly captivating. His handling of solo vs. ripieno vocal parts in the choruses is particularly imaginative and texturally varied (try the opening of the Credo, given to the soloists). The result has great vitality and conveys real joy (once past the opening Kyrie, of course).

Veldhoven also has an impressive lineup of soloists, with alto Matthew White's Qui sedes and bass Peter Harvey's Quoniam making this account of the Gloria one of the most polished and satisfying on disc (and tenor Charles Daniels is pretty terrific in the Benedictus as well).

Channel Classics, the industry leader in turning out state-of-the-art multichannel recordings, provides sound that matches the performance: bright, transparent, but still warm and solid. It's also worth mentioning that the packaging and presentation, with a massive booklet produced in association with the Museum Catharijneconvent, is beyond deluxe, making this set a beautiful gift candidate. I do prefer performances, even those using period instruments, on a larger scale, but within the wide range of legitimate interpretive options in this work (which we must remember Bach never heard in its final form), Veldhoven delivers a well-nigh perfect realization of his enlivening vision, and he deserves full credit for his achievement. –David Hurwitz, ClassicsTodaycom

TRACKLIST

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)

Disc: 1
1. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Kyrie. Kyrie eleison
2. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Kyrie. Christe eleison
3. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Kyrie. Kyrie elseison
4. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Gloria in excelsis
5. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Et in terra pax
6. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Laudamus te
7. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Gratias agimus ribi
8. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Domine Deus
9. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Qui tollis peccata mundi
10. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Qui sedes ad dexteram
11. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Quoniam tu solus Sanctus
12. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 1, Missa. Gloria. Cum Sancto Spiritu

Disc: 2
1. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Credo in unum Deum
2. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Patrem omnipotentem
3. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Et in unum Dominum
4. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Et incarnatus est
5. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Crucifixus
6. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Et resurrexit
7. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Et in Spiritum Sanctum
8. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Confiteor
9. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 2, Symbolum Nicenum. Credo. Et expecto resurrectionem
10. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 3, Sanctus. Sanctus. Sanctus
11. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 4, Osanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei et Dona Nobis Pacem. Osanna
12. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 4, Osanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei et Dona Nobis Pacem. Benedi
13. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 4, Osanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei et Dona Nobis Pacem. Osanna
14. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 4, Osanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei et Dona Nobis Pacem. Agnus
15. Mass in B minor, for soloists, chorus & orchestra, BWV 232 (BC E1): Part 4, Osanna, Benedictus, Agnus Dei et Dona Nobis Pacem. Agnus

PERSONNEL
Netherlands Bach Society
Jos Van Veldhoven (conductor)