Paul McCreesh - J.S. Bach: Epiphany Mass (1999)

Of all the liturgical reconstructions that Paul McCreesh has been offering over the past decade, this is easily the most elaborate. It's astonishing to think that Bach's parish church would have celebrated Epiphany (the 12th day of Christmas, January 6, usually a weekday) as elaborately as this program, and it's fascinating to think of the congregation of the Thomanerkirche anticipating the event around 1740. The entire service is included in the recording, much like the Catholic Masses on record that include the celebrant's prayers and Preface before the Sanctus (chanted in Latin even here), the Scripture chanting (in German here, of course), and all the odd versicles. The sermon is only six minutes long, just a hint of a longer discourse (it would have been at least an hour long, according to the notes). A Missa brevis (Kyrie and Gloria) and a Sanctus from Bach's Lutheran Masses are included, and there are also not one but two cantatas, one after the Gospel (chosen for the feast day) and one after Communion (chosen for that aspect of the service). Organ preludes and other pieces are sprinkled liberally throughout the service. No fewer than eight hymns are sung by the congregation, most of them introduced by the appropriate prelude. Some are a cappella, some are accompanied, and some have improvised interline organ interludes, an established practice of the time. The recording was made in two different churches of Saxony, involving the congregational choirs of both in the hymn singing. The whole is contained on two discs, each packed to the last second of capacity.

The singing and playing (including the local choirs) are on the highest level of excellence. The most novel aspect of the performances is the Epiphany cantata, where the pair of horns play in C alto (trumpet pitch), lending a brilliance to the music that is heard (McCreesh thinks) for the first time ever. A Hieronymus Bosch Epiphany adorns the booklet cover. This is an important issue, ranking with the best of McCreesh's admirable series of recordings.