'Missa Solemnis' is one of Beethoven's (an all-time favourite) most beautiful, heart-wrenching and dramatically powerful works, not just of his later output (which with his deafness and the transition from late classicism to early romanticism was generally even more passionate than before) but ever.
This 1996 performance is not the best on DVD, with the Karajan (my personal first choice), Bernstein and Luisi DVDs just above it. Nonetheless, despite a couple of very small problems, it is a beautiful performance and captures 'Missa Solemnis' feel, beauty and dramatic power throughout.
It is sad that the DVD itself doesn't do the performance justice. Despite superb sound and the beautiful setting that is shown in its full glory, there are two major areas where it disappoints heavily. One is that the camera work is far too busy and bordering on egotistical. The other is the lighting and colour filtering, which changes constantly, this was incredibly distracting and was there was absolutely no need for it (one can be forgiven for thinking it was a DVD fault).
With the actual performance though there is not much to complain about. Of the vocal quartet, who are mostly very impressive and are shamefully uncredited, only the sometimes underpowered, especially the "Agnus Dei" (though that could have been a balance issue) and bored-looking bass soloist disappointed a little. In terms of sound quality, it's near faultless with the sole exception of a slightly muddy-sounding section in the "Gloria", as the section is quite brief it's not too serious. It was just thrilling to hear parts that you don't always hear come through given full prominence without overwhelming parts that always can be heard no matter what. Balances issues are pretty much nowhere to be found.
On the musical front, again there is so little to fault. The orchestra play absolutely splendidly, the "Kyrie" left me with tears streaming down my face (maybe that's a bit of bias as that movement contains some of Beethoven's most emotional music), the "Gloria" is rousing and the "Credo" is filled to the brim with intensity. The violin solo in the "Sanctus" is beautifully played and heartfelt, though one wishes it could have been a touch louder. The chorus' role is large and they don't sound at all taxed in a work that is a big sing, their diction and enunciation is incredibly good and clear, especially in the declamatory parts, and they are in glorious voice. They are especially good in the "Gloria", which is exuberance personified, and the "Agnus Dei" which is intensely moving.
The conducting is similarly exemplary, it was so wonderful to see a conductor so vividly involved in the music without resorting to too many podium histrionics which would have spoilt the mood. He also gets the feeling and meaning of the work just right (the work is such beautiful and emotionally powerful stuff, and the conducting embraces both consistently), there is a perfect balance of the serious and the solemn without going overboard in either or one overshadowing the other. "Gloria" is given so much vitality, the "Agnus Dei" dripping with emotion and the positively overwhelming rendition of the "Kyrie" couldn't have been a more perfect start to a performance.
As for the four soloists they are very good on the most part. The bass wasn't as involved or as well recorded as the rest, but the soprano practically soars gorgeously over the orchestration and everything else and brings a real sincerity to her stage presence (her voice sounded heavenly in the "Kyrie"). The alto has a lovely rich voice that blends very well with everybody else, and while a little more understated her stage presence is natural and commanding. The tenor has a pleasant ring to his voice and is careful not to be too loud or rush or drag too much in the ensembles, for example in the big ensemble section in the "Kyrie" the tenor (who is in a very high tessitura at this point) provides the pulse and he does it at a comfortable speed without getting faster, slower or unintentionally changing meter.
In summary, beautiful performance that deserves a far better DVD. 7/10 Bethany Cox