Beethoven: Missa Solemnis
Polina Pastirchak (soprano), Sophie Harmsen (mezzo-soprano), Steve Davislim (tenor), Johannes Weisser (bass), RIAS Kammerchor Berlin
René Jacobs / Freiburger Barockorchester (Harmonia Mundi)
(scroll down for English review)
遲來的貝多芬周年唱片，不過是寶物尋歸底，早前介紹過雅各斯的《里奧諾拉》初版錄音，我已讚不絕口，誰知《莊嚴彌撒曲》還精彩。之前介紹戴維斯的貝多芬套裝時，我說不怎喜歡原音派的《莊嚴彌撒曲》演奏，多數太過瘦身，做不出浪漫派的氣勢，但這次雅各斯的原音演奏，我五體投地，只是擔心這是個錄音室製作，在現場演奏沒有相同效果。
雅各斯不只是指得快，樂隊及歌唱都是非常緊湊及熱血。垂憐經（軌一），雅各斯做出多數指揮（不管是浪漫派或原音派）不會有的苦難，直通巴哈《B小調彌撒曲》及《約翰受難曲》的啟首。有些樂迷覺得太長而跳過的光榮頌（軌二至六），以及《信經》（軌七至十），才是全曲的精華，此錄音的RIAS室內合唱團被雅各斯催谷出無與倫比的狂喜，我不想跟你說哪一段最精彩、跳去聽那段就夠，是需要你一直聽下去。
其餘的聖哉經、降福經、羔羊頌，也證明指揮及歌曲不是只得爆棚，溫婉平和的段落也應付自如，當中會有突如其來的爆發及轉折，也是留待你發現。我特別想對太過重視貝九的朋友說，《莊嚴彌撒曲》才是貝多芬合唱音樂的極致，希望各位可以用這個絕頂錄音發現這首鉅作。
A belated Beethoven disc but it’s worth the wait. I’m more than overjoyed with Jacobs’ Leonore recording but this is even better. While reviewing Colin Davis’ Beethoven Odyssey box set I said I wasn’t too happy with HIP readings of Missa Solemnis as they were usually too slimmed down. But this recording is so overwhelming that I’d withdraw that conclusion. Yet, this was recorded in the studio (not even a concert hall) so I’m wary that a live performance wouldn’t sound the same.
Jacobs didn’t just choose brisk tempi, the playing and singing were all full-blooded and taut. In the Kyrie (track 1), Jacobs achieved what other conductors (romantic or HIP) failed to do: a sense of suffering which took us back to Bach’s Mass in B minor or St John Passion. Some would choose to skip the Gloria (tracks 2-6) and the Credo (tracks 7-10) but how foolish to do so, these are the cream of the whole work. The RIAS Kammerchor sang like their lives were depended on it.
The rest of the disc gave enough proof that Jacobs could manage the gentle sections just as well, but there were sudden bursts and surprises for you to explore. Really, the Ode to Joy isn’t Beethoven’s grandest achievement, I hope you’d be converted with this superb recording.