The Bethlehem (PA) Choral Union gave the first complete American performance of J.S. Bach's Saint John Passion in 1888. That group was the immediate predecessor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, which sings in this 2011 performance of the 1724 version of the passion led by Greg Funfgeld, who has led the group since 1983. The highlights of the performance include the singing of some of the soloists. Tenor Charles Daniels is an impassioned, dramatic Evangelist and he sings with resonance and clarity. Also impressive are soprano ...
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The Bethlehem (PA) Choral Union gave the first complete American performance of J.S. Bach's Saint John Passion in 1888. That group was the immediate predecessor of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem, which sings in this 2011 performance of the 1724 version of the passion led by Greg Funfgeld, who has led the group since 1983. The highlights of the performance include the singing of some of the soloists. Tenor Charles Daniels is an impassioned, dramatic Evangelist and he sings with resonance and clarity. Also impressive are soprano Julia Doyle and baritone David Newman as Pilate. Benjamin Butterfield makes it through the tenor arias, but not without sounding strained. The choir sings with a full, rounded tone. The performance philosophy favors a large choral sound; listeners' reaction to its size will probably be determined by whether they prefer the more traditional big Bach sound, or the leaner, more intimate sound favored by performers more influenced by the early music movement. The same might be said for...
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