This 1997 recording of J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor has been available for a long time, and given the competition before and after its initial release, it has held up remarkably well. Conductor Diego Fasolis moves the performance along nicely while taking full advantage of Bach’s many opportunities to thrill. The entrance to the Gloria is exceptionally exuberant, as are the rhythmically propulsive chorus and brass in both “Cum Sancto Spiritu” and the Credo’s “Et Resurrexit”. Fasolis also takes great care negotiating the work’s many quieter moments. For example, the Credo’s opening chorale is beautifully paced with subtle rhythmic variations throughout. Fasolis’ highly original treatment of the “Crucifixus” is equally stunning, with its sharply delineated rhythmic structure and sublimely elongated finale. Vital to Fasolis’ inspired leadership are the instrumental ensemble Sonatori della Gioiosa and the Coro della Radio Svizzera, who deliver passionate, world-class performances.
The soloists are equally fine, most notably soprano Lynne Dawson, whose legato in the “Laudamus te” must be one of the loveliest on disc. Having recorded plenty of Bach with Helmuth Rilling and Gustav Leonhardt prior to this effort, tenor Christoph Pregardien may well be considered a specialist in this repertoire, and he certainly lives up to that reputation here. During his duet with soprano Roberta Invernizzi in the “Domine Deus” and in his solo performance in the Benedictus, Pregardien combines just the right measure of piety and radiance characteristic of the greatest Bach singers.
Although this is a live recording, Arts’ sound is quite good. Orchestral and choral textures are particularly well defined and naturally balanced. Listeners looking for a modern interpretation of this masterpiece would do well to consider this outstanding mid-priced set.
