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Retrospect Ensemble - Bach Oratorios - Classica

01 August 2011
Classica
Philippe Venturini

4 stars out of 4

Adapté d'une cantata profane celebrant l'anniversaire d'un prince, l'Oratorio de Pâques convoque quatre figures saintes pour évoquer ensemble ou alternativement le mystère de la Résurrection: Marie mere de Jacques le Mineur, Marie Madeleine, Pierre et Jean. Bach leur prête des tonalities essentiellement majeures ainsi que trios trompettes et des timbales pour affirmer le triomphe de la vie sur la mort. Matthew halls les guide d'une main sure et d'un geste vif dès l'anacrouse qui ouvre le sinfonia. Attentif au caractère de chaque episode, il oppose la tonicité motrice à 3/8 du premier movement étincelant en ré majeur et le parcours plus heurté de l'adagio en rythmes points et dans le relative mineur. À la joie sans nuage du premier chœr répond également le duo meditative de la soprano et flute traversière idéalment assure par Carolyn Sampson et Rachel Brown. Le timbre d'Iestryn Davies n'est certes pas des plus attractifs mais son expression reste juste. À la tête d'un ensemble baroque de taille conventionnelle (chœur et orchestre de chamber), virtuose et enthousiaste, Matthew Halls trouve sa place aux côtés de Philippe Herreweghe (Harmonia Mundi) et Paul McCreesh (Archiv).

Retrospect Ensemble - Bach Oratorios - Classica

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