Bach St. John Passion Chorus Herr, Unser Herrscher

[Sylverling]

Love this recording! The tempo feels just right. It's so gripping, intense, like michaelerikson33 said... Plus, it's definitely in the spirit of the text and music.

[arrow2harrow]

I agree with those who appreciated the speed of this. I have just revisited a recording made in the 60's where the lumbering start sounds musically and dramatically way to slow. I'm no expert, but, like others, I felt that this tempo worked really well to help wind the tension up in preparation for the dramatic unfolding of this sorrowful drama.

[byranntherockstar1]

You gotta give credit to Bach; after all, his music to represent a high point in 100 years of Baroque music, and he did compose music in almost all genres (the one exception being opera); plus his style did lead the musical developments of the era

[pinturner]

Brilliant ! This music is above the Earth by all means. Great thanks !!!

[michaelerikson33]

I like it fast like this; its intense.

[theshinjiheart]

choir excellent but,,,too fast i don't like, not even is the real time it should be play it :D

[paripe]

Ciertamente, una Johannes Passion muy muy muy apasionada. Esta perspectiva es muy interesante. Ofrece una dimensión distinta, refrescante y muy actual de esta gran obra.

[theguyi26]

needs a newer version without the compression

[TheInternetIsSerious]

@theguyi26

Unfortunately this is the only recording I have of this. It's ripped from the copy in the school library. And even more unfortunately, I'm not even at the school any more, so I can't try to rip it in FLAC or any other higher bitrate.

[marcellny]

man...  i love slower tempos of this... but this is down right exciting!

[sam0xin]

Even in this unusual-modern tempo BACH still UNMATCHED & UNPARALLELED.

[panzerlion]

This is, by far, the best version i ever herd... its a real real real shame is not commercially available or a high quality audio\

Cheers for good music

[abdazrael]

A very refreshing interpretation, thanks for uploading it.

[stanleycohen]

After singing Bach for over 50 years I'm convinced this is the correct trempo. The energy, drive and momentum is absolutely definitive of bach's genius.

[Clarkson007]

Well ye im not sure how at this speed it would fit in with the rest of the Passion piece as an opening but on its own I think overall its definitely mind blowing, im so glad they did it this way =)

[PrickStanda]

God, this is fast forward. They should've used some distorted guitars too, a thrash metal drummer and of course people in the audience headbanging like mad. Then they surely make it headlining with Anthrax and Slayer. Metal up your ass!

[metphmet]

terrible

[spacecadet222]

Oh man, I have the opportunity to go see this in concert but am unable to because I have to work. Bach....paying rent....Bach....paying rent....don't make me choose! Gah!

[shaivista]

Even if i always prefer a lighter and faster tempo in general, this sounds like Bach on Speed or any kind of stimulant...It sounds a bit like "deranged" sorrow leading to madness which is an interesting proposition...maybe if it was a tad slower..just a tiny itsy tad...

[DoverFerry]

The harmonious discordance is breathtaking

[kobuskoffiedik]

Bach didn't prescribe the tempi of his works. (Mälzel's metronome was patented in 1815.) The speed of Richard Egarr's execution may well have been exactly what Bach intended. Who knows? I have no objection.

What strikes me time and again in this opening chorus: the 'harmonious dissonants'. They run shivers down my spine. Bach was way ahead of his time.

[Nganguen]

...THE BEST RENDITION...

[Nganguen]

I'm looking for the appropriate word...This rendition is ANGELIC!!! Wonderful, what a strengh! I CAN FEEL THIS PASSION HERE!!!

GOD BLESS YOU FOR POSTING THIS.......

[BaalWithin]

A gr8 Overture ruined by a tempo thats 2 fast. If u listen carefuly u can hear that the tenor lines arent clear at all. Pure shame. And yes the oboe lines need time.

[traversoflute]

can you do better? I would like to play under your conducting! :)

[BaalWithin]

Maybe 1 day u will. :P :D

[Marleneagnes]

Great GERMAN COMPATRIOT!

[ftumschk]

Needs to be a little bit slower, IMO, if only for Bach's brilliantly pungent suspensions to bite. Those oboe lines neat time to squirm around each other, ratcheting up the tension and making the listener squirm in turn.

[ftumschk]

"Those oboe lines neat time to squirm around each other..."

... I meant "need time".

[ulyssesjj]

@ftumschk a little slower yes and in German, It is "Herr" not Hair.

[webershainze]

not

[josefk64]

Way too fast.

[Anibaloide]

Very interesting.

[Rattywotin]

I just don't get this trend for playing baroque music as fast as possible, I think this is far too fast and the choir gets lost as a result. This is a plea to heaven, not a race to the double bar at the end, it sounds too agressive and loses meaning.

[tccirillo]

Another amazing performance courtesy of Richard Egarr. Wish I had been there. And anyone offended by the tempo, well, enjoy your Richter.

[paradoxicus]

Impresionantes éstos jóvenes."Fame,Honour and Glory".

[kelsiejackson]

For what it's worth, I love the energy and declamation here--the choir has some difficulty keeping up in spots (especially along the treble/soprano lines), but the verve and especially the intensity is palpable. It's not perfect, but I'd take it on its merits (and keep in mind other versions with fewer imperfections).

The John Passion is known for its drama and forcefulness...this is a good example of one "extreme" in bringing that to the fore.

[epicusfuror]

York University did it better.

[JuliendAnce]

Tempi can be fast but never to the point of eating the intelligibilty of the music.... and here...

[glantz91]

P.S But I can't say I don't like it, because the live performances I heard were in a agreeable tempo, but preformed really bad, but here all the musicians are great!

[glantz91]

Ohhhh.... today I heard all possible performances of st.Matthaeus passion and of The Johannes Passion,

Including a Richter - disintegrated .......S....L.....O....W......­.. .tempo, and now this fast romantic and angry performance... (: , even a terrible movie adaptation,

where Jesus Christ Himself is in a Madonna-like videoclip, on the music of Bach, therefore mocking Bach, God, and etc... lol... but Anyways- everybody should do what he wants to do...

[unclejohn1963]

yes , its very too fast for the choir. Bad.

Orchestra manages well allthough, i think.

[norcalrobbie2]

It might be the size of the choir that makes it seem too fast. If it were reduced to 2 singers per part, as Bach originally performed it (read Andrew Parrot's book Essential Bach Choir for more info on this), then more clarity in the choir might be acheived at this tempo. But I do like this tempo; it very much agrees with the drama that follows it. Many other reditions lumber on too slowly, in my opinion.

[xbqchm]

I like the enrgy in this performance. A bit too fast though.

[alexongcs]

THIS IS Amazing on its own!!!!! I am shocked... i thought the emotions will totally be ruined... but the choir and all voices are so alive and full of fire and plea!!!! I wish the whole thing was recorded!! I am so amazed. WOW this is BRILLIANT!!

[streetlegal500]

OMG much too fast!

[bikebln]

Yes - WAY too fast! You're trying to win a competition?

[Virussse]

Putain ça trous l'cul !!!!

[eribani]

now this tempo i like

[ianislios]

Could you give the information about the orchestra?

[TheInternetIsSerious]

The orchestra was made up of students at Trinity College of Music. Some of them were studying early music specifically, and others just studying classical music in general.

[dystopikk]

this is so fast, that it is almost disturbing!

[argentor16]

Moi ça me plaît!

Beaucoup, c'est pressé urgent terrible, inquietant et superbement interprété....même aussi vite et tant mieux merci pour l'audace!

[dfnvksdvnvsdkvn]

I think they are chased by a horseman, or they may be on their way to tannery to provide some manure.

[CharlieDraper]

This is far too slow. It should be about twice the speed....

;-)

[Iaparulava]

you you kidding me this is very fast tempo for this piece where are they running please hare Suzuki, Gardiner and Richter first !!!! This tempo is killing the power of this magnificant piece my friend!!!!

[connectwired]

I think he is joking (hence the wink), don't worry. I definitely feel the unusually fast tempo as well. It's hard to tell what the faster parts are playing.

[Iaparulava]

Hello and Merry Christmas .....I love this piece so much I can only make jokes about this performance....

[debartzen]

Muy bien por el Trinity Collegey el conductor-director,Richard Egarr.Mantienen el tono dramático de éste introito que bien vale lo mejor de la "Johannes Passion."

[Vihor189]

Little to fast tempo, maybe, bath nice work, without dilemma...

[castello18]

This is a great performance and great work from Richard Egarr !!!

[virilmaiscorrec]

you should take this faster a little more ...

[dingashenry]

Is this a commercially available recording? This has to be the most lively "Herr" I have heard...at first, it didn't work for me, but it presents urgency to the plea, rather than the typical heavy interp. most conductors use. Where can I find this?

[TheInternetIsSerious]

There isn't a commercially available recording of this, unfortunately. The only version is here on youtube or in the Trinity College of Music Library.

If there are any specific bits you are interested in hearing, I can see if I can upload them. The last chorus is here on youtube as well, uploaded by a different user.

[clumsy109]

Great! We're going to sing this next year... the rehearsals just started! I hope we'll sound like that in a few months... :)

[NYCBG]

GOD!

[Bachelio]

Nice!

greetings