Spring 2021

We will be studying and learning
J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion. 

Rehearsal schedule will be announced soon as it is dictated by when we can get the scores in.

Most choral conductors and musicologists consider the St. Matthew to be one of the most significant, if not the most significant, choral composition ever (I fall in the latter group!). Originally performed by Bach on Good Friday in 1727 at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, it fell off the radar after Bach’s death and the rise of composers in the mid to late 18th century who were considered more “in fashion” than Bach (including his own sons). The work received new life and has remained in the forefront of the repertory ever since with the famous performance by Mendelssohn in 1829. With the help of brothers Eduard and Julius Reitz, Mendelssohn prepared a new edition for the performance, which is the one that we will use this semester.

Want to join us?

Please email Penny Senften 
masterworks@manhattanarts.org
by January 22 to get a copy of the score in the initial order. *

*​Singers will need access to a device that can run Choralia and Zoom.