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Oxford Harmonic Choir

Bach's St Matthew Passion

Part of the Oxford Harmonic Choir 2025/26

Add to my Calendar 28-03-2026 19:00 28-03-2026 21:00 36 Oxford Harmonic Choir J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion was completed in 1727 and has been widely recognized, to this day, as the greatest sacred choral work of all time. It stands as such a towering musical edifice that it cast a shadow on the entire “passion oratorio” genre until at least the time of Penderecki and Pärt in the late 20th century. Certainly, Bach’s inventive harmony, dense counterpoint and dramatic use of tone colour are striking throughout. Due to the nature of this work as a vehicle for telling the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, this performance will be sung in English. Matthew Minter will sing the role of the Evangelist; George Robarts will sing the role of Jesus. Oxford Town Hall, Oxford DD/MM/YYYY

Details

Oxford Town Hall
Saint Aldate's
Oxford
Oxfordshire
OX1 1BX
England

Programme

Johann Sebastian Bach – St Matthew Passion, BWV 244

Performers

Matthew Minter – tenor
George Robarts – baritone
Susan Young – soprano
Tristram Cooke – counter-tenor
Nathan Vale – tenor
David John Pike – Bass
David Ponsford – harpsichord
Robert Secret – Conductor

Oxford Harmonic Choir
Orchestra of Stowe Opera

Programme Note

J. S. Bach’s St. Matthew Passion was completed in 1727 and has been widely recognized, to this day, as the greatest sacred choral work of all time. It stands as such a towering musical edifice that it cast a shadow on the entire “passion oratorio” genre until at least the time of Penderecki and Pärt in the late 20th century. Certainly, Bach’s inventive harmony, dense counterpoint and dramatic use of tone colour are striking throughout. Due to the nature of this work as a vehicle for telling the story of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, this performance will be sung in English.

Matthew Minter will sing the role of the Evangelist; George Robarts will sing the role of Jesus.

Oxford Harmonic Choir

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