Clarity alone is not enough

From the Protestant Theological Peanut to Experienced Catholicism: It is thus that one could describe the impression of Bach's B minor Mbad at the Salzburg Festival. But was it the intention?

The Collegium Vocale Gent, founded in 1970 by Philippe Herreweghe, is a historical institution in the world of historical performance. The vowel group, which has been retreaded several times in the history of the ensemble and incorporates Dorothee Mields-style soloists, remains a benchmark for giving up vibrato and crystalline articulation. If countertenors are used in polyphonic parts: it simply can not be more homogeneous, more disciplined, more concise.

But the third generation is already at work among performance practitioners, and they find more conclusive links between stylistic expertise and emotion than Philippe Herreweghe, who was firmly on the tempo brake . Clarity alone is no longer a criterion for early music, and certainly not for Bach and his B minor Mbad. It requires emotion and generosity. The only sitting in the creed. From there, there were some highlights: in Agnus Dei, counter-tenor Alex Potter brought his volume in infinite breaths. You could only marvel. For Bach and his Thomaskirchen, reality is a small distribution, as she chooses Philippe Herreweghe, historically correct. But what would be the number of musicians Bach would have liked, had he been invited to the Felsenreitschule by the Festival?