Saturday 6 April 2019

6.30pm

(please note the earlier than usual start time; ends 9.30pm approximately)

St Edmundsbury Cathedral, Bury St Edmunds

Bach      St Matthew Passion

Robert Murray Evangelist / tenor

Graeme Danby Jesus

Fae Evelyn soprano

Valerie Reid mezzo-soprano

Tom Asher baritone

Suffolk Baroque Players

Boy Choristers of St Edmundsbury Cathedral

Bury Bach Choir

Philip Reed conductor

For this performance of Bach’s St Matthew Passion, the choir will be joined by five soloists of international standing, by Boy Choristers of St Edmundsbury Cathedral (Director of Music: James Thomas) and by the Suffolk Baroque Players.  

The St Matthew Passion is, by common consent, one of the greatest sacred choral works ever composed.   Bach himself seems to have cared for it as he did for no other work.   Even by the standard of the Baroque passions, the St Matthew Passion is exceptional for its musical richness and its grand scope.  

Relating the story of Jesus’s suffering and death, the variety and majesty of the music grabs the listener firmly by the shoulder and never lets go.  Bach’s phenomenal imagination and skill are apparent throughout.   The score, one of the most ambitious compositions of all time, calls for double orchestra and double choir – three choirs at one point.  The musical textures range widely from complex counterpoint to simple hymns. 

Bring or hire a cushion, and sit back for a memorable evening that will touch you on many levels, eventually culminating with one of the most beautiful laments ever written.  For reserved seats you are advised to book early.

Booking opens 3 September 2018

Tickets £26 (reserved), £21 and £16 (unreserved)

Early booking discount £1 off all tickets booked by 28 February 2019

This concert is featured on www.concert-diary.com