Which performance I should get from J. S. Bach's choral works?

Question

I love Bach and I'm about to get into his choral works. I still don't know it as well as I'd be able to decide which performance is the best about Mass in B, St. John and St. Matthew's passion, Christmas oratorio and the Cantatas. For example there is John Eliot Gardiner and the Monteverdi choir. There are very different opinions about him and co. , ratings from 1-5 star. So I want the best performance from these works, can any expert help me out please? ( Gardiner usually gets good critics for the Cantatas, but mixed for the Masses and "Passions").

Answer 1

Opinions always differ, that's why they're opinions. If you're in expansive mood, you can buy the complete Bach edition - 157 CDs for just over £83 - a very good price; http://www.amazon.co.uk/Bach-Complete-Edition-157-DVD/dp/B003MRN6PY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1345828703&sr=8-1

Answer 2

There is no "best" or "worst", you'll do yourself the greatest favour by listening to a variety of different recordings & performances. Modern instruments or period instruments? One-voice-per-part, or standard (modern) sized choirs? Moderate, "amateur" or "professional" tempos? "Authentic" performance, or "historically informed" or "classical"? There are dozens of opinions and approaches, nobody has all the answers. That's part of the joy of listening - you decide for yourself.

Answer 3

Try the Radio3 CD Review - Building A Library archive for comparative reviews with musical examples

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006tmtz

though if you can navigate easily around it, you're doing better than me.