J.s. Bach: Missa 1733

Ensemble Pygmalion, Raphaël Pichon, conductor; Benjamin Alard, organ

Johann Sebastian Bach
Missa 1733 (Mass in B minor - An original version of the Mass, in its brevis form)

The Ensemble Pygmalion continues its interpretative work on the music of Johann Sebastian Bach, proposing the Mass in B minor, BWV 232 in its version of 1733. The Magnificat in D major, one of Bach's most popular sacred works, composed c.1730, begins and ends with two powerful choral movements between which vocal and instrumental soloists carry on a dialogue in keeping with formulas that are continually varied, displaying an astounding richness of invention. Pygmalion's first recording for Alpha, with Bach's Missae Breves BWV 234 and 235 (ALPHA 130) was received very enthusiastically by the critics and awarded, in particular, the Diapason d'Or of the Year 2008 and the Orphée d'Or 2008 by the Académie du Disque Lyrique. Given the work's historical importance, this third recording by the ensemble is also the occasion for Raphaël Pichon to show the extent of his maturity, placing him in the front rank of today's young conductors.

Price: $27.98