‘St Matthew Passion’

Press, 29 March 1979, Page 14

‘St Matthew Passion ’

Though bach’s setting of St Matthew’s account of the Passion story is a monumental work, its frequent performance has tended to eclipse the many excellent settings from preceding centuries. One of the finest of these, the “St Matthew Passion” by Bach’s distinguished precursor, Heinrich Schutz (1575-1672) may be heard this Sunday (Passion Sunday) in the Roman Catholic Cathedral in Barbadoes Street, starting at 3 p.m. The performance will be given by the Jubilate Singers "directed by Martin Setchell. This 22-voice group of experienced local singers was formed by Mr Setchell in 1977, one of its aims being to provide more authentic performances of Renaissance and early-Baroque vocal music, much of which is unsuitable for our larger choirs. Since 1977 the Singers have given a number of first performances in Christchurch of works from the period, including Monteverdi’s Mass of 1651 last year. Soloists are as always members of the group; the important role of the evangelist will be sung by the tenor, Neville Paris, who sang the same role in the performance of the

Bach “St John Passion, ’’ last Easter. The part of Christ is sung by the bass-baritone, Martin Thomas. Other soloists are Alex Bartie ( c o u n t e r-tenor). Franz. Kney (tenor), Mark Chignall (bass), Judy Bellingham (mezzo-soprano) and Jillian Bartram and Aneleas Pekelharing (sopranos). Schutz's setting was written for the Court Church of Dresden in ]666 and respects liturgical custom in that the instruments are silenced for Passiontide. It is scored for soloists and unaccompanied four-part chorus. In just 60 minutes Schutz presents the complete Gospel narrative without the extra arias and chorales of the oratorio passion. yet in equally expressive and moving music. With amazing economt. the music underlines each shade of emotion — the majestic, yet sorrowful Christ, the excitable Peter, the treacherous Judas, the well-meaning Pilate and the pompous Caiphas. The Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament, with its high domes and reverberant acoustics, provides a fine setting for the Jubilate Singers “alternative'' ■ “St Matthew Passion.”