Benjamin Luxon sings 'Mache dich mein Herze rein' from Bach's 'St. Matthew Passion'

[blueeyedbehr]

it's as if bach jumped 250 years into the future to compose this aria. considering the text, i find it much more appropriate than the faster dance-like tempi that most other performers take.

a very touching performance which can easily bring me to tears.

[redbrian3655]

Though this version clocks in nearly three minutes longer than most, I have never heard it sung with more gentility , fluidity and pathos. To me, Luxon expresses the text better than I personally have ever heard. Luxon's interpretation takes away the more "dance-like pastorale" feeling, and replaces it with a devotional quality that allows his rich voice to express and savour each phrase. Thank you so much for posting this. You have given me new life to an old aria.

[tidaliumpelo]

Benjamin Luxon est sublime comme à son habitude!

[gilad1arnon]

his interpretation in the most natural I heard. Just beautiful simplicity. This narration is so honest. you get the full matthaus before and after this song inside his singing. balance of organ and oboi is so delicate.

[mcgill3432]

certainly on the slow side - but a lovely, elegant voice.

[assertLime]

omg kann man das noch langsamer singen?? das ist ja fürchterlich schnell! da kommt ja niemand mehr mit!!!

[bassfanne45]

This man had the most beautiful baritone voice ever. Thank you for posting.

[mariandelochs]

Wonderful. moving and elegant performance by B. Luxon. Thank you!

[drtmuir]

This is such a monumentally comforting moment in the Passion. Beautiful singing.

[redhead529]

Luxon has one of the most beautiful voices I have ever heard...elegant, effortless, and crystal clear.

[interpreterr]

Very slow and certainly not very historically informed :), but who cares - it's wonderful (Luxon sounds fantastic here). Thanks for sharing!

[allybari]

@interpreterr Can't say I find it too slow - the phrase has a wonderful sense of elasticity, and allows Ben's voice to caress the words in that magical way of his. As for it not being historically informed - to me, if it's a choice between hearing the piece exactly as Bach might have expected to, or with the benefit of modern instruments and a technically perfect singer - well, I know which I go for. Chacun a son gout, of course.

[interpreterr]

@allybari Agree!