Bach: h-Moll-Messe / Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Bach
The voice of God
If we wanted to draw up a list of the top ten of western music, Bach’s epochal B minor Mass would have to be on it. The British Bach specialist John Eliot Gardiner has already spent a lifetime exploring the expressive oratorio, and never tires of wresting new secrets from it. »Bach,« he says, »gives us the voice of God – in human form.«
Gardiner’s performances and recordings of the B minor Mass derive their character from the exceptional purity and precision of the Monteverdi Choir and of the English Baroque Soloists, who play on historic instruments. Founded by John Eliot Gardiner in 1964 and 1978 respectively, both ensembles are still conducted by him. In addition to the B minor Mass, written in different phases between 1724 und 1749, their standing repertoire includes Bach’s other major sacred works, particularly the passions and the cantatas.
Performers
English Baroque Soloists
Monteverdi Choir
Hilary Cronin soprano
Bethany Horak-Hallett soprano
Reginald Mobley alto
Sarah Denbee alto
Nick Pritchard tenor
Jonathan Hanley tenor
Dingle Yandell bass
Alex Ashworth bass
conductor Sir John Eliot Gardiner
Programme
Johann Sebastian Bach
Messe h-Moll BWV 232
Spotlight
Sir John Eliot Gardiner