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Though I am completely wedded to original instrument performances now for this most glorious of works and I generally admire greatly the work done by Parrot and the Taverner Consort (this is one of the top performances recommended by the Penguin Guide) this recording falls seriously short in fulfilment for me. No matter what forces Bach had at his disposal I just don't think this is what he intended (or maybe I have been corrupted by too many romantic performances). The orchestral playing here is fine, nice tone, tripping rhythms (there is so much dance music in this work) and the soloists are fine (though I have always found Emma Kirby just to virginal for words) and nice clear orchestral and vocal lines, the problem for me is the chorus. The soloists basically sing the choruses and are barely augmented. And though the recording engineers try to give us a warm-blooded sound as possible for me Bach's wonderful choruses are just anaemic. When you get to the Gloria where you have full orchestra, plus drums trumpets you just do not get that frisson you expect on the choral tuttis. And the Cum Sanctus Spiritu just seems to have no bass to it at all. For me the almost definitive recording of this work is the Herreweghe . This is also on period instruments, incredibly beautiful and the Collegium Vocale are bright, exuberant and utterly glorious. Also I think Herreweghe soloists are better, especially Andreas Scholl who is infinitely superior to Parrot's alto, who is Panito Iconomou when he was a boy treble. He just does have the body or technique (or even the pitch). I.MRead full review
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