This famous recording of Bach's masterpiece was made in Kingsway Hall, London, in 1960 & 1961. It boasts the most exceptional array of vocal, choral, instrumental and orchestral forces, all under the inspired direction of Otto Klemperer.
Peter Pears, the 'prince of Evangelists', and Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau, whose Jesus has 'dignity, authority and lovableness', lead a distinguished cast of solo singers, including, for the work's many superb arias, Elisabeth Schwarzkopf, Christa Ludwig, Nicolai Gedda and Walter Berry.
Walter Legge's superb Philharmonia Orchestra (which also supplies the expert obbligati players), and its Chorus (trained by the great Wilhelm Pitz) complete the line-up for a performance of the St Matthew Passion that remains a classic of the gramophone. |
