{"product_id":"bach_mass_in_b_minor_bwv_232","title":"Bach: Mass In B Minor Bwv 232","description":"\u003cp\u003eBach: Mass in B Minor BWV 232 is a 2018 recording on Hyperion Records (CDA68181\/2) featuring the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment (OAE), the Choir of Trinity College Cambridge, and soloists Katherine Watson, Helen Charlston, Iestyn Davies, Gwilym Bowen, and Neal Davies, all conducted by Stephen Layton. Recorded in January 2017 in the chapel of Trinity College Cambridge, the album represents the culmination of a long interpretive partnership — Layton had previously made much-praised recordings of Bach's St. John Passion and Christmas Oratorio with the same forces, and this B Minor Mass benefited from years of concert performances before the microphones were switched on. The OAE brings period-instrument authenticity to the project, with precise articulation from the strings and standout contributions throughout, while the choir of around 40 voices delivers what Classical Source praised as \"an exceptionally refined quality\" — remarkable for its freshness, vigour, and unanimity of tone.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe performance takes a clear-headed, direct approach, free of eccentricity in its tempi and always attentive to phrase shape and textual clarity. Countertenor Iestyn Davies is widely regarded as the standout among the soloists, with Philip Reed of Trinity College Choir's review calling his contributions in the \"Qui sedes\" and \"Agnus Dei\" truly exceptional, while soprano Katherine Watson brings a focused, lyrical baroque sound throughout. Gramophone noted the performance's brightness and clean air, and the overall reading was described as \"grandeur, solemnity, intimacy and excitement all handsomely conveyed.\" Early Music Review acknowledged the recording as \"quite excellent of its kind,\" and Trinity College's own review awarded it five stars, calling it \"a B minor Mass to treasure.\" The scholarly booklet notes, full texts, and translations round out a well-produced release that holds its own against the strongest competition in a crowded field.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Record Store","offers":[{"title":"Vinyl \/ 2LP","offer_id":53593834488122,"sku":"38347","price":73.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0784\/2041\/0682\/files\/Screenshot_2026-06-11_at_4.43.28_PM.jpeg?v=1781210840","url":"https:\/\/recordstore.ca\/products\/bach_mass_in_b_minor_bwv_232","provider":"Record Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}