St Matthew Passion (complete oratorio)

"Here's Bach's great Easter Passion straight from Bach's heartland, Leipzig, with the Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra, St Thomas's Boys Choir, and an ease of delivery that can come only when you breathe in the composer every day. Conducting, Chailly lets the music speak."
(The Times)

"Riccardo Chailly's new recording nods to the weight of tradition yet the purposeful, rosy, Victorian bloom of his orchestra is lightly applied. Tempi are fleet, lilting; the attack of the local boys' choirs sharp and delicate; the voices of the soloists cool and direct."
(Independent on Sunday)

"Chailly has assimilated a historically informed performing style, but his interpretation bristles with drama, thanks to the gripping narrative of his Evangelist, Johannes Chum...Yet it is the contribution of the two choirs, and Chailly's devoted conducting, that make the issue special"
(The Sunday Times)

"There is some accomplished solo singing, and the part of Christ is taken with...intensity by Hanno Müller-Brachmann...Thomas Quasthoff has a lovely presence"
(BBC Music)

The great orchestra of Bach's own city of Leipzig in a glorious new recording of his choral masterpiece.

Played on modern instruments, Chailly's Bach beautifully demonstrates that vivid, stylistically aware performance is not the exclusive preserve of period instrument ensembles.

Distinguished German vocal soloists, including acclaimed bass-baritone Thomas Quasthoff, rise gloriously to the challenges of Bach's exalted score.

The choir parts are thrillingly sung by two of Germany's most celebrated boys' choirs - the Thomanerchor Leipzig and the Tölzer Knabenchor.

On 2 CDs (most recordings are on 3 CDs).

Released for Easter 2010.

Part of a trio of Bach releases that also includes the Brandenburg Concertos (January 2010) and Christmas Oratorio (November 2010).