Word: matthew
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Dates: during 1980-1989
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...generally acknowledged as the most powerful and unique oratorio setting of the Passion and Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. In this monumental work in which two choruses, two orchestras and eight soloists perform for over three hours, Bach alternates between recitative narration by the Evangelist, who represents St. Matthew, turbulent crowd choruses, various commentary in the solo arias and reflective, moving chorales...
According to Jameson Marvin, Director of Collegium Musicum and of Choral Activities at Harvard University, St. Matthew's Passion represents the height of Baroque music and masterpieces. Marvin says that Bach makes use of all contemporary music forms, including the aria, ariosa, recitative and the accompanied and a cappeila choruses that were popular at the time...
...Matthew's Passion is monumental and unique in the history of Western music," Marvin says. "Not only does Bach elaborate on the chorales, which are the center of the work, but the whole performance is a huge undertaking. That's one reason it's rare that undergraduates perform the piece. We've had to raise a great deal of money to arrange for the soloists and the orchestra, not to mention the amount of time and practice that has gone into perfecting...
Marvin says that the 65-member group, which performs a cappella pieces as well as choral/orchestral works, has been working on the St. Matthew's Passion since November. The Passion requires eight choral parts as well as eight solo parts. Tonight's performance will feature seven solo performances: Nancy Armstrong will sing soprano; Gloria Raymond will sing mezzosoprano; Jon Humphrey and Frank Kelley will sing tenor; Sanford Sylvan and Thomas Jones will sing baritone, and David Ripley will sing the bass part...
This evening's show will be a concert performance; although the St. Matthew's Passion has several parts and characters, Marvin said the piece is generally not staged...