Mendelssohn: Paulus / Hickox, Gritton, Rigby, Banks, Coleman-Wright, BBC NO Of Wales

$27.99
Label
Chandos
Release Date
April 28, 2009
Format
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    Featuring ⌄
    • COMPOSER
      MENDELSSOHN BARTHOLDY, FELIX
    • ORCHESTRA / ENSEMBLE
      Bbc National Orch And Chorus Of Wales
    • PERFORMER
      Gritton, Rigby, Banks, Coleman-Wright, Hickox
    Product Details ⌄
    • RELEASE DATE
      April 28, 2009
    • UPC
      095115151624
    • CATALOG NUMBER
      CHAN 10516(2) X
    • LABEL
      Chandos
    • NUMBER OF DISCS
      2
    • GENRE
      Choral - Sacred
    Works ⌄

    1. Part I: Overture

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    2. Part I: Herr! Der Du bist der Gott, der Himmel und (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    3. Part I: Chorale: Allein Gott in der Hoh' sei Ehr (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    4. Part I: Recitative: Die Menge der Glaubigen war ein Herz (Soprano, Bass 1, Bass 2)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton, Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    5. Part I: Dieser Mensch hort nicht auf zu reden (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    6. Part I: Recitative: Und sie sahen auf ihn Alle (Soprano, Stephen, Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    7. Part I: Aria: Jerusalem! Jerusalem, die du totest die Propheten (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    8. Part I: Recitative: Sie aber sturmten auf ihn ein (Tenor, Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    9. Part I: Recitative: Und sie steinigten ihn (Tenor) - Chorale: Dir, Herr, dir will ich mich ergeben (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    10. Part I: Recitative: Und die Zeugen legten ab ihre Kleider zu den (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    11. Part I: Siehe! Wir preisen selig die erdulet haben (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    12. Part I: Recitative: Saulus aber zerstorte die Gemeinde (Tenor) - Aria: Vertilge sie, Herr Zebaoth (Bass)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks, Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    13. Part I: Recitative: Und zog mit einer Schaar gen Damaskus (Alto) - Arioso: Doch der Herr vergisst der Seinen nicht (Alto)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Jean Rigby

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    14. Part I: Recitative: Und als er auf dem Wege war und nahe zu (Tenor, Bass, Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks, Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    15. Part I: Mache dich auf! Werde Licht! (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    16. Part I: Chorale: Wachet auf! ruft uns die Stimme (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    17. Part I: Recitative: Die Manner aber, die seine Gefahrten waren (Tenor)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    18. Part I: Aria: Gott sei mir gnadig nach Deiner Gute (Bass)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    19. Part I: Recitative: Es war aber ein Junger zu Damaskus mit Namen (Tenor, Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton, Barry Banks

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    20. Part I: Aria: Ich danke Dir, Herr, mein Gott (Bass, Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    21. Part I: Recitative: Und Ananias ging hin das Haus (Soprano, Tenor)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton, Barry Banks

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    22. Part I: O welch' eine Tiefe des Reichtums (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    23. Part II: Der Erdkreis ist nun des Herrn und seines Christ (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    24. Part II: Recitative: Und Paulus kam zu der Gemeinde (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    25. Part II: Duet: So sind wir nun Botschafter and Christi Start (Tenor, Bass)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks, Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    26. Part II: Wie lieblich sind die Boten (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    27. Part II: Recitative: Und wie sie ausgesandt von dem Heil'gen Geist (Soprano) - Arioso: Lasst uns singen von der Gnade der Herrn (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    28. Part II: Recitative: Da aber die Juden das Volk sah'n (Tenor, Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    29. Part II: Chorale: Ist das nicht, der zu Jerusalem verstorte Alle (Chorus) - Quartet: O Jesu Christe, wahres Licht (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    30. Part II: Recitative: Paulus aber und Barnabas sprachen (Tenor, Bass)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks, Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    31. Part II: Duet: Denn also hat uns der Herr geboten (Bass, Tenor)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks, Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    32. Part II: Recitative: Und es war ein Mann zu Lystra (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    33. Part II: Die Gotter sind den Menschen gleich geworden (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    34. Part II: Recitative: Und nannten Barnabas Jupiter, und Paulus (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    35. Part II: Seid uns gnadig Gotter! (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    36. Part II: Recitative: Da das die Apostel horten (Tenor) - Aria: Ihr Manner, was macht ihr da? (Bass) - Aber unser Gott ist im Himmel (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks, Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    37. Part II: Recitative: Da ward das Volk erreget (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    38. Part II: Hier ist des Herren Tempel! (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    39. Part II: Recitative: Und sie alle verfolgten Paulus auf seinem (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    40. Part II: Cavatina: Sei getreu bis in den Tod (Tenor)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Barry Banks

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    41. Part II: Recitative: Paulus sandte hin, und liess frodern die Altesten (Soprano, Bass)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton, Peter Coleman-Wright

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    42. Part II: Quartet: Schöne doch deiner selbst! (Chorus) - Recitative: Was machet ihr (Bass, Tenor)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Peter Coleman-Wright, Barry Banks

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    43. Part II: Sehet, welch' eine Liebe hat uns der Vater (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    44. Part II: Recitative: Und wenn er gleich geopfert wird uber dem (Soprano)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Performer: Susan Gritton

      Conductor: Richard Hickox

    45. Part II: Nicht aber ihm allein, sondern Allen (Chorus)

      Composer: Felix Mendelssohn

      Ensemble: BBC National Chorus of Wales, BBC National Orchestra of Wales

      Conductor: Richard Hickox




MENDELSSOHN Paulus • Richard Hickox, cond; Susan Gritton (sop); Jean Rigby (mez); Barry Banks (ten); Peter Coleman-Wright (bs); BBC Natl O & Ch, Wales • CHANDOS 10516 (2 CDs: 115:13 Text and Translation)


This is a rerun from 2001 on Chandos’ “Classics” series. James Miller reviewed it in Fanfare 25:1. I will refer readers to his review for more of the details of this production. Miller seems to prefer the Masur reading, not available then but reproduced now as an arkivmusic.com CD. Masur certainly deserves respect, and his cast is nothing to sneeze at, but I have come to prefer the Rilling recording on Hänssler to just about any other. His soloists, while less stellar than Masur’s, are every bit their equal, and Rilling gives us a highly charged, gorgeously sung performance of just about unequalled beauty.


Paulus only has about 10 readings currently available, and has been suffering from the equivalent of professional swine flu for many years—not many want to touch it. Soloists are certainly hard to come by, as the parts are just not that demanding. But—this oratorio is guaranteed a bright future as it remains, after Messiah , perhaps the most popular oratorio among American church goers and oratorio societies. The very lack of demanding solo parts makes it attractive to local ensembles, and the choral work is adventurous, yet attainable by lesser ensembles. Mendelssohn’s part-writing is easy to follow and logical to rehearse and teach, and he manages to get a consistently whopping sound out of his chorus while keeping well within the confines of the eminently doable.


Miller says about this Hickox rendition, “I can certainly commend it to your attention as a worthy performance, probably at least as good as the competition.” I think this sums up the recording very well. In a detailed comparison with the Rilling, Hickox is actually about nine minutes faster in each part, though Rilling sounds quicker because of a tighter control over the ensemble and a tauter rhythmic approach. He also is more devotional, perhaps too devotional in some instances, while the Chandos recording delights in the early-Wagnerian overtones found in some of the brassier moments. The more I hear the Chandos, the more I like it, and I am finding the differences between Rilling and Hickox interesting enough to appreciate both equally, and it is difficult to choose one above the other.


Okay—if forced—I would still go for Rilling, but every collection deserves two recordings of Paulus , so I can rest content. As for Masur, he is still worth hearing, and many will prefer him, but not by much. Though there are not many recordings of this early oratorio, these three alleviate any need for concern.


Incidentally, in James Miller’s review he states: “‘Wie lieblich sind die Boten die den Frieden verkündigen’ is usually translated as ‘How beautiful are the messengers that bring the gospel of peace.’ In the Masur (Philips) libretto (and some other places) it is rendered, ‘How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace,’ which is, in fact, the way the verse goes in the King James version of the Bible (Romans X:15). But ‘Boten’ means ‘messengers’ in German. Did the King James translators get the original text wrong or did Martin Luther or other German translators get it wrong?” In the Chandos issue, “messengers” is given in the translation. After nine years, I think I can help—Luther got it wrong. The word pódeV (“feet”) appears not only in Romans 10, but also in the Septuagint version of the Old Testament in Isaiah and the book of Nahum, the books from which Paul took his quote. I can’t vouch for the Hebrew, but Paul would have taken his quote from a Septuagint source (the Greek translation of the Old Testament).


FANFARE: Steven E. Ritter