26. Agnus Dei (A) 27. Dona nobis pacem (Chorus) Gundula Janowitz, soprano Hertha Töpper, alto Horst R. Laubenthal, tenor Hermann Prey, bass Karl Richter, Münchener Bach Orchester & Chor
Sadly, Herta Töpper passed away 3 days ago. Thank you Hertha for your beautiful singing, one of the best interpreters of Bach's music. With Richter, you have made this world a little more beautiful.
Oh, I didn't know it... that is sad, but she had a long and fullfilling live. Greatest respect for this woman! Artists like her and the great Karl Richter make me believe in mankind. Without Bach living would be an error... Soli Deo Gloria, Solo Bach!
Only woman called Herta can sing Agnus Dei like this! Perfect and impossible! Angelic voice, angelic harmonies... Richter did perfect choice with her. Her voice is like an organ
Probablement l'une des voix d'alto les plus impressionnantes dans le répertoire de JS BACH sous la direction de Karl Richter ! Une empreinte vocale que l'on ne peut plus oublier après l'avoir entendue une seule fois !
Ich habe selbst sehr professionell die H-Moll Messe 3 mal komplett gesungen!!Ein wunderbares und eindrucksvolles Ereignis allein schon ist dieses Werk zu erarbeiten!!Das geht bis in die tiefsten Urwurzeln der Musik!!Ja,es ist ein Urerlebnis!!Ganz persönlich, ganz intensiv,ganz einfach unvergesslich!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
OH, YES!!!!! The Dona Nobis is possibly my favorite choral piece of all, and THIS is how it should be done - so that the very HEAVENS open up, and then KEEP opening up, again, again, again! The quick, jig-like way that many perform it doesn't allow for the suspensions to come out, to create that unbelievably BLESSED, GLORIOUS feeling that's created here. Thank you SO much for uploading this!!
I first heard the “Agnus Dei” on a cassette tape of Bach and was immediately and forever taken by this piece. Beautiful and otherworldly, I have to stop whatever I’m going and just listen.
Dall'entrata dei bassi, è una apertura velocissima verso i soprani. Con i fiati la musica vola, riempie ogni spazio e circonda tutto. Tutto il resto non esiste più, solo queste magnifiche note, nei canoni e nelle fughe accennate. Richter insuperato e forse insuperabile.
Hertha Töpper's version of this strange otherwordly aria stands unequalled (to my knowledge), almost disturbingly intensive, dark and in the manner of a passion, which is absolutely appropriate. The piece in itself is one of the highlights of what I consider maybe the greatest single composition of all times. The Dona nobis pacem is the musical equivalent of heavenly world peace. It is difficult to find words to adequately praise this music.
There are many very good recordings of this aria. Have you heard Andreas Scholl with Philippe Herreweghe conducting? My problem with this aria is the orchestra, as it begins, the strings play gestures, these gestures are smoothed out by Richter, he also ignores the obvious sigh motifs.
Thank you. After years of "later" interpretations, it is refreshingly wonderful to step back and listen to earlier versions, slower and more deliberate tempi, elegant presentation etc. Each era has a claim to fame on this work, but never let us forget Richter's immense contribution. May musicians never stop exploring the wonders of Bach in every age, and stop bickering about which and whose version is "better". To do that is to diminish Bach and his music. Always keep fresh open ears. BRIAN
Too many recordings put the trumpets and timpani in the back. So glad to hear them really shine here, especially with the ritardando at 9:30 to the end. Cannot find a better recording.
My absolute favorite performance of the Agnus Dei and have yet to hear one that moves me to tears like this one does. What an amazing voice Frau Töpper has! Thank you for sharing!
I heard this wonder in the Deutsche Grammophon LP without knowing the contralto. I am overwhelmed with such perfection that it touches what the angels sing that I am now sure that they exist and sing
Hace 4 meses (editado) Escuché esta maravilla en el LP de Deutsche Grammophon sin conocer el nombre de la contralto. Estoy tan abrumado con tanta perfección que toca lo que cantan los ángeles que ahora estoy seguro de que existen y cantan
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, Dona nobis pacem. Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Have mercy on us. Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, Grant us peace.
Sometime I would like to hear the Agnus about two times faster. I have reason to believe it is usually taken at half speed or even slower. It wasn't meant to be this slow.
But I think this aria requires this very ability even at the expense of a flat higher register, though I don't believe she did too badly in the latter. For example, Ms Hamari nails 'Erbame dich' but in Agnus dei I feel she does not deliver as Ms Töpper does here.
"Histórica", simplemente "histórica"... Espectacular testimonio de los desastres que aún se hacían en su tiempo con la música del barroco. Y la Töpper, qué miedo. :-) ¡Suerte de las imágenes de la iglesia, fastuosa barrocada intacta!