Frank Martin Golgotha

Frank Martin\'s take on the Passion of Jesus is an intense, deeply felt affair that\'s worthy of attention. Our editor, Don Vroon, described the piece in some detail this past March/April while giving a positive review to a performance conducted by Herbert Bock on Hanssler 98327.

This is an impressive performance; dark, emphatic, and extremely well paced by the conductor. All three male soloists sound uncomfortable when they hit the upper register; otherwise, they make a most affecting group. Baritone Joachim Gebhardt is admirably expressive in the Jesus recitatives, where Maestro Siemens accompanies him with the utmost sensitivity. The chorus is good too, especially in the more wrenching portions of the drama. There\'s one splatty bit in Part I where they don\'t interact well with the soloists. This was recorded in concert back in 1988, and there\'s nothing at all wrong with the sound. Virtually no audience noise either.

If you\'re going to get to know Golgotha, though, I think you\'ll probably be happier starting out with that Hanssler version. Not only is it very well done, it\'s sung in French-the composer\'s language of choice. This one is in German, and while Martin approved of the translation, it might be better to stick with the original as you get to know the piece. Hanssler also gives you notes and translations in four languages, one of them English. Here, it\'s German only, which could keep you at a distance from Martin\'s handiwork. But if you\'ve already made the work\'s acquaintance and would like to know it better, these provincial German forces don\'t sound provincial in the least.