JS Bach’s first great sacred masterpiece, the St John Passion, recounts Christ’s final days from the betrayal of Judas to the preparation for laying the body in the tomb.
Bach’s extraordinary music brings to life the humanity of the drama. The chorus takes on the role of the people, reflecting – together with the solo arias – on the progression of the Easter story. The narrative is sung by the tenor Evangelist and the entire work is bound together by chorales – German hymns greatly enhanced by Bach’s harmonic invention, the whole work culminating in arguably Bach’s finest chorale: ‘then from death awake me, I will praise you for ever’. This is ultimately an optimistic piece, and a true choral favourite.
The Royal Choral Society will perform this outstanding work in the original German together with the Hanover Band – one of Britain’s finest period instrument orchestras, alongside an exceptional line up of soloists, all conducted by Richard Cooke.
The Royal Choral Society has been performing the choral masterpieces ever since its formation for the opening of the Royal Albert Hall in 1871, including the UK premières of Verdi’s Requiem in 1875, and Dvorak’s Stabat Mater in 1884, both concerts conducted by their composers. The St John Passion was first performed in the UK in 1872 under the baton of Royal Choral Society conductor Sir Joseph Barnby.
nb: note concert start time of 6pm