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Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March 1685 – 28 July 1750) :
St. Matthew Passion
Bach's Passion continues to move audiences more than 280 years after it was first heard in St. Thomas's Church in Leipzig,
Germany. Standing as one of the pillars of Western sacred music, it is at once monumental and intimate, deeply sorrowful and powerful.
It retells the dramatic and compelling story of the events leading up to the crucifixion of Jesus.
Bach divided the music into two parts. Highlights of part one include the last supper and the betrayal and arrest of
Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.
In part two, the music turns darker and softer—signalling the inevitability of the story—as it depicts the trial,
crucifixion and burial of Jesus. The Passion ends with the darkly textured chorus, "In tears of grief."
Bach could leave his parishioners in a sorrowful mood, knowing that they'd be celebrating Christ's resurrection in just a few days.
Tom Huizenga
St Paul’s Church Augustus Road
Southfields SW19 6EW
Underground: Southfields,
District Line Buses: 39, 93, 493
Contact Carrie on 07909 981278
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