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Bach's brilliant
exploitation of a double chorus has his choristers acting
variously as commentators, characters and reflectors, and
the BBC sang with remarkable projection and clarity - though
the odd discomfort with Neil Jenkins' sometimes uncongenial
translation (the almost oikish repetitions of 'What?' in the
grinding opening chorus) could be detected. I did, though,
miss the childlike purity of trebles in the ripieno line.
Paul Whelan was totally moving as an awesome Christus, quiet
optimism giving way to human despair, and Christopher Gillett
was the intelligent, vivid Evangelist. Other soloists made
fine contributions, and the English Chamber Orchestra played
with colour and neatness during this testing marathon which
brings us all through some kind of ordeal.
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