J. S. Bach: Johannes-Passion BWV 245

• Cast: Fritz Wunderlich (Evangelist), Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (Jesus), Karl Christian Kohn (Pilatus, Petrus, bass arias), Elisabeth Grümmer (soprano), Christa Ludwig (contralto), Josef Traxel (tenor arias), Lisa Otto (Magd), Horst Schäfertöns (Diener), Chor der Sankt-Hedwigs-Kathedrale Berlin, Berliner Symphoniker, cond. Karl Forster

• Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau in his Reminiscences: "I was impressed with the relaxation with which the young man with a glint of mischief in his eye let the whole process of rehearsals and retakes run off his back - Karl Forster, the 'Abbé' of the podium and head of the Hedwig Choir [...] had an easy time with him."
• George Murnu, review at www.jsbach.org: "A love it or hate it recording. My personal favorite, but not for purists. This has to be the greatest singing a Bach work has ever received. Yes, it is operatic, but what a line of soloists! Top of it, Fritz Wunderlich's divine voice as the Evangelist. I simply can not describe in words all the beauties of his singing, and on the fact that he puts meaning in every single note he intonates. Absolutely miraculous! Also unsurpassed are Fischer-Dieskau as Jesus in what is to me his best Bach singing that he has put on record (and he has recorded quite a lot of Bach ), this underrated, wonderful singer that was Elisabeth Grümmer, and Christa Ludwig. Traxel also sings from the heart, and Karl Christian Kohn sings with power. True, Forster's conducting has been surpassed by other maestros, but the singing of this recording makes it a wonderful experience. Especially the divine Wunderlich!" [on EMI CMS 7 64234-2]

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	EMI 423 425 (2 CD)
	EMI 963 011-8 (2 CD)
	EMI CMS 7 64234-2 (2 CD)
	Nota Blu 93.5155-1/2 (2 CD)
	Electrola E 80668-80670 (3 LP)
	Electrola STE 80668-80670 (3 LP)
	Electrola 1C 147-28589/91 (3 LP)
	HMV ALP 1975-1977 (3 LP)
	HMV ASD 526-528 (3 LP, mono)

Highlights on

	Electrola E 80727
	Electrola STE 80727
	HMV HBOX 116 (2 LP, + Matthäus-Passion without FW)

Fritz Wunderlich Discography