Ramiro Arguello asks of Bach's Mass in b:

>I also have Eliot Gardiner recording which to my taste is only fair.
>I remember I had a wolderful LP recording but I do not remember from
>whom it was, I only remember that it was a big chorus and orchestra
>worderfully conducted by?
>
>Can a Lister suggest a good sound recording of this Mass?

My favorite recording is Robert Shaw's RCA stereo recording with
members of the Cleveland Orchestra (billed as the "Robert Shaw Orchestra,"
probably for contractual reasons) and the Robert Shaw Chorale.  This has
been available on RCA 09026-63529-2.  Aside from great choral and solo
work, I enjoy Shaw's conception of a "concerto grosso for choir" --
leading to wonderful uses of "ripieno" and "concertato" chorus.  This
leavens some of the heaviness and logginess from the texture.  Although
Shaw works with reduced forces, this is not HIP.  Modern instruments are
played in modern ways.  Nevertheless, I know of no recording that dances
like this one.  Shaw remade it for Telarc, with the same approach, but
the energy level's slightly down, although the recorded sound is better.

It's what I think of as "Italianate" Bach -- light, dancing -- and
the Mass can certainly stand it.  The conceptual opposite would be the
"Serious German" approach -- Richter is the archetypal performance.
Both have their points.  Richter gives you weight; Shaw, energy.

Steve Schwartz