About this Artist

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Editorial Reviews

Even in context of the original instruments and historically informed performance practice movement, there are other ways to perform Bach's "B minor Mass" than the way Philippe Herreweghe performs it. To name only the most obvious alternatives, there's the austerely inward Leonhardt approach, the extravagantly outward Gardiner approach, and the eccentrically individualistic Harnoncourt approach. But Herreweghe's is indisputably the most radiantly beautiful approach. Every musician in his ensemble shines: the vocal soloists, especially Véronique Gens and Christoph Prégardien; the instrumental soloists, particularly flutists Patrick Beuckels and Jan de Winne; and the chorus and orchestra of the Collegium Vocale, Gent, above all in their closing Dona nobis pacem. Herreweghe brings them together and blends them into a unified performance full of light and color, then transforms them through his phrasing, molding and shaping into an inspired interpretation of luminous grace. While there are many good reasons to hear Leonhardt, Gardiner, and Harnoncourt's recordings, there are equally good reasons to hear Herreweghe's, and anyone who loves Bach's "Mass" will want to hear them all.

Harmonia Mundi's digital sound is deep and detailed with a real sense of time and place. One final note: Herreweghe recorded the "B minor Mass" twice -- once for Virgin in 1989 and once for Harmonia Mundi in 1998. In both performances, Herreweghe aims at the eternal and the infinite; in this performance, he hits the bull's eye. James Leonard, All Music Guide

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