Bach, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy - Mass In B Minor

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Review by Blasio Namale

Mass in B Minor by Bach: A Timeless Masterpiece That Still Packs a Punch Let’s cut to the chase—Johann Sebastian Bach’s Mass in B Minor is one of those towering achievements in classical music that feels like it came straight from another dimension. This 1963 recording by The Philadelphia Orchestra under Eugene Ormandy doesn’t just bring Bach’s genius to life; it slaps you across the face with its sheer beauty and intensity (in the best way possible). Released on Columbia Masterworks and CBS, this album has all the hallmarks of Baroque brilliance but also carries a warmth and humanity that makes it feel alive. First off, let’s talk about “Crucifixus.” Oh man, this track hits hard. It’s hauntingly slow, almost like time itself slows down when you listen to it. Rosalind Elias’ contralto vocals are so rich they could probably melt steel if given enough volume. Paired with the choir from Temple University Choir, every note feels heavy with emotion—it’s not just music; it’s an experience. You can practically hear the weight of centuries pressing down on these voices, yet there’s something comforting about how raw and real it feels. When I first heard this piece, I wasn’t expecting it to stick with me as much as it did. But here we are. Every time I revisit it, I’m reminded why people still care about Bach hundreds of years later—he knew how to write stuff that burrows into your soul. Then there’s “Gloria In Excelsis,” which flips the script entirely. If “Crucifixus” is introspective and somber, this one bursts open like fireworks at midnight on New Year’s Eve. Eleanor Steber’s soprano vocals soar above everything else, light and ethereal, while Richard Verreau’s tenor adds this fiery urgency. The whole thing builds up layer upon layer until you’re practically levitating out of your chair. There’s no way anyone could listen to this without feeling some kind of awe—even if you’re not religious, you’ll find yourself thinking, “Wow, yeah, maybe heaven is real after all.” The production quality deserves props too. Producer Thomas Frost clearly put his heart into this project because the sound is crystal clear without losing any of the natural grittiness that gives recordings from this era their charm. The orchestra plays with precision but never loses sight of the emotional core of the work. And let’s give credit where it’s due—Eugene Ormandy conducts like he’s channeling Bach himself. His direction keeps things moving forward even during the quieter moments, ensuring nothing drags. What strikes me most about this album isn’t just how good it sounds—it’s how personal it feels. Listening to tracks like “Crucifixus” or “Gloria In Excelsis,” you get the sense that everyone involved poured their whole selves into this performance. It’s rare to hear something so polished yet so human at the same time. So, what’s my final takeaway? Well, here’s the kicker: for all its grandeur and complexity, Mass in B Minor reminds me of sitting alone in a quiet room late at night, staring out the window and wondering what’s beyond the stars. It’s big and small simultaneously, intimate and infinite. Funny enough, though, the last thought I had while writing this review was…would Bach have approved of vinyl? Somehow, I think he’d dig it. Rating: 5/5

Table of Contents

Download

Filename: bach-the-philadelphia-orchestra-eugene-ormandy-mass-in-b-minor.zip
  • MP3 size: 114 mb
  • FLAC size: 1000 mb

Tracks

TrackDurationPreview
Christe Eleison5:13
Laudamu Te5:55
Et In Unum Dominum4:43
Gloria In Excelsis6:41
Confiteor7:50
Benedictus4:57
Cum Sancto Spiritu4:52
Kyrie Eleison11:59
Dona Nobis Pacem3:33
Hosanna2:50
Sanctus6:03
Qui Tollis3:35
Credo In Unum Deum; Patrem Omnipotentem4:30
Agnus Dei4:46
Quoniam5:30
Et In Spiritum Sanctum5:18
Et Incarnatus Est; Crucifixus; Et Resurrexit13:42
Domine Deus5:25
Gratias Agimus Tibi3:15
Qui Sedes4:50

Video

Bach: Mass in B Minor, BWV 232

Images

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Catalog Numbers

  • SBRG 72114
  • M3S 680
  • M3L-280, ML 5815

Labels

  • CBS
  • Columbia Masterworks

Listen online

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Formats

  • 3 × Vinyl
  • LP
  • Album
  • Mono
  • Stereo

Credits

RoleCredit
Bass VocalsRichard Cross
Baritone VocalsRichard Cross
ChoirTemple University Choir
Composed ByJohann Sebastian Bach
ConductorEugene Ormandy
Contralto VocalsRosalind Elias
OrchestraThe Philadelphia Orchestra
Soprano VocalsEleanor Steber
Tenor VocalsRichard Verreau
ProducerThomas Frost

Notes

Columbia Masterworks M3S 680 box set of 3 vinyl LPs includes a ten-page booklet with the essay, The Bach B Minor Mass: A Musical Analysis by Sir Donald Francis Tovey.

About Bach, The Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy

Johann Sebastian Bach was born on March 21, 1685 in Eisenach, Thuringia, Germany. A prolific German composer and organist, his sacred and secular works for choir, orchestra and solo instruments drew together the strands of the baroque genre and brought it to its ultimate maturity. Although he introduced no new forms, he enriched the prevailing German style with a robust contrapuntal technique, a control of harmonic and motivic organisation from the smallest to the largest scales, and the adaptation of rhythms and textures from abroad, particularly Italy and France. Many people consider him to be the greatest Baroque composer, and one of the greatest composers of all time. Revered for their intellectual depth, technical command and artistic beauty, J.S. Bach's works include the Brandenburg concertos, the keyboard suites and partitas, the Mass in B Minor, the St. Matthew Passion, The Musical Offering, The Art of Fugue and a large number of cantatas, of which about 220 survive. He died on July 28, 1750. Some of his sons also became composers - , , and .

Real Name

    • Johann Sebastian Bach

Name Vars

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Interesting fact about Album

Did you know? The album *Mass in B Minor* by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra and conducted by Eugene Ormandy, is a stunning blend of classical and Baroque styles. Released in 1963, it brought together an incredible lineup of talent, including soprano Eleanor Steber and contralto Rosalind Elias. What makes it even more special is that this recording was one of the first major releases under Columbia Masterworks. It’s like a time capsule of musical genius, showcasing Bach’s timeless compositions with a mid-20th-century twist. For fans of choral music, tracks like "Cum Sancto Spiritu" and "Agnus Dei" are absolute gems.

Comments

sunday30889
sunday30889
2025-03-13
Richard Verreau, beautiful voice.