A dazzling array of performers, in a setting which combines accoustic and heritage
MEET OUR SOLOISTSElenore Cockerham, soprano, born in Yorkshire, Elenore is a singer and teacher in a range of styles and has performed across the world as a member of VOCES 8. Toby Ward, Evangelist, also from Yorkshire, but is now based in London where he is in demand as a conductor, repetiteur and continuo player. Andrew Greenan, who will sing the part of Jesus, is a distinguished British bass-baritone with an impressive career in opera, and has co-authored the innovative translation we are singing.
Chris Why tenor, is based in Yorkshire and formed the renowned Tallis consort in 2017. He is much in demand as a soloist and coach. Matthew Farrell, renowned counter-tenor and viol da gamba expert , will both sing the alto solos and play in the performance. Our bass soloist Charlie Murray is well known to Halifax Choral Society. As one of our Choral Scholars, he has performed several times with the Choral Society and as Director of Music at Halifax Minster he directs the boy and girl choristers who will also take part in this performance.
OTHER ARTISTS
John Longstaff, a Yorkshire based musician, has been associated for many years with Halifax Choral Society. John has co-authored this translation of St Matthew Passion, which hugely enhances the meaning of the music for English speaking choirs and audiences. We are delighted to have John present for our performance. We also welcome Alan Horsey who has played organ in many of our performances at Halifax Minster. Our conductor is Music Director of Halifax Choral Society Anthony Gray, who after only 18 months in charge of the Choral Society is thrilled to take on this unique challenge.
THE ORCHESTRA
Bach called for two choirs, two orchestras, six soloists, and a children's chorus, featuring woodwinds, strings, and a basso continuo, along with specific instruments like recorders, oboes, and flutes.
How on earth can so many musicians fit in to Halifax Minster? You will be surprised but you will not be disappointed! A particular highlight will be a spotlight instrumental performance on Viol Da Gamba by our multi talented Counter Tenor Matthew Farrell, who when he is not playing will sing the alto solos.
THE TRANSLATION
John Longstaff who has co-authored this translation explains “we wanted to convey rather more of the directness of the German text than we felt had been achieved elsewhere. Many of the original German images are vivid and, on occasion, shockingly graphic; from Victorian times these seem to have become either sanitised or have been removed, and we make no apology for restoring them.”
This magnificent music is not often heard in English, this performance will provide and enhance the opportunity to appreciate the full range of emotion and meaning conveyed in the original text.
THE MUSIC
Composed in 1727, Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is considered to be one of the greatest pieces of music ever written. The music is both bitter and sweet, weaving theatrical dialogue between characters with story telling and personal reflection through arias and recitatives. As well as magnificent two choir choruses, the choir’s interventions range from the terrifying shouts of the mob to hymn-like chorales which provide moments of communal pause for thought.
THE SETTING - HALIFAX MINSTER
Halifax Minster is the ideal setting for music of all genres, combining as it does heritage and accoustic in one place. Canon Hilary Barber, Vicar of Halifax Minster explains how this 900-year-old Medieval Church stands on a site which was formerly the Town Square and where everything happened. Canon Barber says: “Things happen here that are full of joy and full of sorrow. St Matthew Passion incorporates both. And at a time of year when Christians remember and re-enact the great drama of Holy week, this performance will be very special."
LISTEN TO A PREVIEW
Extract from a performance of John Longstaff and Andrew Greenan's translation of J S Bach's St Matthew Passion.
This was recorded in April 2019 in St Peter's Harrogate
Here at thy tomb we sit in mourning
And call to thee, with tears we weep:
Sleep thou softly, softly sleep!
