Pergolesi Stabat Mater - which one(s) to buy?

[JANDL100]

I'm not really happy with the two recordings I have, and I want to buy a good one.

Any personal favourites? And why?

 

[Marc]

I'm not really happy with the two recordings I have, and I want to buy a good one.

Any personal favourites? And why?

But what are those two recordings that didn't make you happy?

Anyway, in short, here's 'my story':
In my younger years I was, together with the young Salieri, mesmerized by the boy's choir in the movie Amadeus, singing 'Quando corpus morietur', with organ accompaniment.
So I bought a CD: Societa Cameristica di Lugano, directed by Edwin Loehrer (Erato). And I learned that the version in Amadeus actually was an arrangement! No boy's choir and organ, but a chamber string orchestra with, in this case, two rather vibrant female singers: Lucie Ticinelli-Fattori and Maria Minetto.
I got used to it, but was more pleased with my second purchase: Emma Kirkby/James Bowman/Christopher Hogwood (L'Oiseau Lyre). A bit too smooth, though, I thought.
So I was even more pleased with my third purchase: Gillian Fisher/Michael Chance/Robert King (Hyperion). More expressive, and Michael Chance in his prime.
After that, I 'encountered' another recording, with Barbara Bonney/Andreas Scholl/Christophe Rousset (Decca). I think many people would regard this one as almost perfect, so this might be your choice. But personally I feel that Bonney and Scholl don't match that well together.
Then I went to a concert, to hear this masterpiece live, with the Concerto Italiano and Rinaldo Alessandrini. I was flabbergasted! Especially the contralto part was beautifully sung by Sara Mingardo. But also the soprano, Gemma Bertagnolli, was very good, and Alessandrini and his orchestra took care of a warm-felt accompaniment.
So I bought their CD recording (Opus 111, now Naïve), and this one I like the most.

The question remains: what are the two recordings that didn't make you happy? Alessandrini and King?

Then I truly apologize that I wasted your time.

 

[JANDL100]

Hi Marc - and thanks for your extensive reply!

I deliberately didn't mention my two 'failures' - although that is too harsh a word, perhaps - as I didn't want to bias or influence any replies.

My 2 recordings are Rene Jacobs on HM and the Loehrer that you mention on Erato.

I posted this same thread on another forum and as a result of several replies (!) I have now purchased the Alessandrini recording that you also recommend! It should be with me in a few days.

I shall now also look out for the Robert King recording. I'll probably give the Bonney/Scholl CD a miss as I don't generally like the sound of Scholl's voice - just a personal thing, I guess.

I'll let you know how I get on with Alessandrini.

Thanks again, Jerry.

P.S. I also like a version of the 1st movement as sung by Leslie Garrett (of all people!) on a DVD Video disc. Very 'operatic', but good within its own context.

 

[Marc]

I posted this same thread on another forum and as a result of several replies (!) I have now purchased the Alessandrini recording that you also recommend!

Must be a forum with several connaisseurs!

Enjoy the listening!