St. Paul op. 36

Mendelssohn composed his first oratorio Paulus considerably influenced by Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, the revival of which he conducted in 1829. It was probably his most popular work during his lifetime. The choral movements, sometimes monumental, sometimes romantic, demand technical ability, rhythmic precision and sensitivity in equal measure.

The Carus Choir Coach offers choir singers the unique opportunity to study and learn their own, individual choral parts within the context of the sound of the entire choir and orchestra. For every vocal range a separate CD containing each choir part is available. The CD is based on recorded interpretations by renowned artists who have performed the work from carefully prepared Carus Urtext editions.

Each choir part is presented in three different versions:

• Original recording
• Coach: each part is accompanied by the piano, with the original recording sounding in the background
• Coach in slow mode: the tempo of the coach slows down to 70% of the original version – through this reduction passages can be learned more effectively.

Performers:

• Maria Cristina Kiehr, Sopran
• Werner Güra, Tenor
• Michael Volle, Bass
• Kammerchor Stuttgart
• Deutsche Kammerphilharmonie Bremen
• Frieder Bernius, Dirigent