OperadiO.com is proud to present an EXCLUSIVE FEATURE,
J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion

St Matthew Passion | Performance | Interviews
Trevor Pinnock | Pictures




The Palau de la Musica de ValenciaFollowing the launch of our Back to Bach Anniversary Channel, OperadiO.com offers the world an exclusive web cast of his monumental work, the St. Matthew Passion, performed by the English Concert Orchestra and Choir, under the direction of Trevor Pinnock. We recorded the concert LIVE at Spain’s acoustical gem, the Palau de la Musica de Valencia, on 12th April 2000 and it appears on our OperadiO player as a totally new channel.

The Palau de la Musica de Valencia

In premiering our online broadcast on Good Friday, we look back to another Good Friday in 1729, when the St. Matthew Passion was first performed in Leipzig, Germany.

 

 

St. Matthew Passion

Performance of the St. Matthew Passion at the Palau de la Musica de ValenciaThe St. Matthew Passion is widely regarded as the most imposing and inspired musical treatment of the story of the crucifixion. Although Bach never actually wrote an opera by name, this magnificent oratorio is truly operatic in proportions. Richly dramatic and theatrical, it unfolds its deeply moving story in recitatives, ariosos, arias, chorales and mighty choral movements. Bach set the text, based on two chapters from the Gospel of St. Matthew, using a large ensemble of two choruses, soloists, and two orchestras.

Today referred to as "one of the greatest creations of Western Civilization" the St. Matthew Passion, as well as most of his vast vocal and instrumental output, fell into obscurity at the time of Bach's death in 1750. It was rediscovered more than 75 years later and conducted in an 1829 performance by the celebrated Romantic composer Felix Mendelssohn. Many experts claim that this Mendelssohn performance of the St. Matthew Passion triggered the great 19th century rediscovery of the genius of Bach.

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Here are some of the highlights of the concert recorded live at the Palau de la Musica de Valencia.

PART 1

    
Anointing in Bethany Click here to listen to this piece Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen
Da versammleten sich die Hohenpriester
Ja nicht auf das Fest
The Lord's Supper Click here to listen to this piece Er antwortete und sprach
  Click here to listen to this piece Ich will dir mein Herze schenken
  Click here to listen to this piece Erkenne mich, mein Hüter
In Gethsemane Click here to listen to this piece Der Heiland fällt vor seinem Vater nieder
Gerne will ich nich mich bequemen
  Click here to listen to this piece O Mensch, bewein dein Sünde groß

PART 2

   
Interrogation by Caiaphas and Pilate Click here to listen to this piece Und der Hohepriester antwortete
Da speieten sie aus
Wer hat dich so geschlagen
  Click here to listen to this piece Erbarme dich, mein Gott
  Click here to listen to this piece Und er warf die Silberlinge in den Tempel
Gebt mir meinem Jesum wieder
  Click here to listen to this piece Befiehl du deine Wege
Jesus' Delivery and Flagellation Click here to listen to this piece Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe!
  Click here to listen to this piece Können Tränen meiner Wangen
Crucifixion Click here to listen to this piece Komm, süßes Kreuz
  Click here to listen to this piece Wenn ich einmal soll scheiden
The Interment Click here to listen to this piece Mache dich, mein Herze, rein
  Click here to listen to this piece Wir setzen uns mit Tränen nieder


Howard Crook Evangelist
Raimund Nolte Jesus
Carolyn Sampson soprano
Daniel Jordan bass
Deborah Miles-Johnson contralto
Michael R. Bundy bass
Diana Moore contralto
Colin Campbell bass
Brindley Sherratt bass

Afternoon rehearsal before the concert on 12th April 2000.

The Orchestra and Choir of The English Concert, directed from the harpsichord by Trevor Pinnock.
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Concert days are always a bit hectic, but Richard Morrison managed to grab a few moments with some of the key players!:
Click here to listen to Trevor Pinnock
Click here to listen to Trevor PinnockTrevor Pinnock, Director
Click here to listen to Felix Warnock
Click here to listen to Felix Warnock Felix Warnock, English Concert Manager

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Trevor Pinnock

Trevor Pinnock during rehearsal's for the St. Matthew Passion

Pinnock is known for his lively and stylish interpretations of seventeenth and eighteenth century music and is credited with having set new standards in the field of period performance, appealing to general listeners as well as specialists. A harpsicord soloist of international repute, Pinnock founded the English Concert in 1973, today regarded as Britain's leading period instrument ensemble, as well as The Choir of The English Concert in 1983. In addition to touring frequently with the English Concert and Choir, Pinnock has appeared frequently as a guest conductor with many of the world's leading orchestras including the Boston, San Francisco and Detroit Symphony orchestras, the St. Paul and Los Angeles Chamber orchestras and at the Tanglewood and Mostly Mozart festivals. He made his Metropolitan Opera debut in 1988 conducting Handel's Giulio Cesare.

 

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Some images from the St. Matthew Passion, at the Palau de la Musica de Valencia

OperadiO OB Scanner outside the
Palau de la Musica de Valencia.
Trevor rehearsing one of his soloists during the afternoon.

 

Some of the 2000 sell-out audience gathering
in the foyer before the performance.
Congratulations!



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