Bach St
Matthew Passion, Ripon Cathedral, March 2009
"Music lovers from
all over the county packed the cathedral to hear one of Bach’s greatest
and best-loved works. The St Matthew Passion is intensely dramatic and
demanding. Bach asks for two choirs and two orchestras, and wrote
large-scale polyphonic choruses where words dissolve into music
alongside recitative secco, and clarity is all-important to the telling
of the story, with the sayings of Jesus set apart, encircled by the
ethereal glow of violins.
"The part of the storyteller, the Evangelist, was taken by James
Gilchrist and sung entirely in recitative, but one that was
electrifyingly dramatic, with a voice of perfect tone, range and
flexibility. It is a huge and demanding part, the dramatic backbone of
the work, and was a very fine and memorable performance.
"The role of Jesus was taken by Paul
Carey Jones, another fine and distinguished singer, who handled the
part with a moving sense of pathos and dignity.
"Adam Green was welcomed back as an ex-chorister of Ripon Cathedral
Choir School and sang a rich and resonant bass. John Bowley’s tenor was
effortless and unstrained. The alto part was taken by the leading
counter-tenor James Laing, whose haunting voice and account of Have
Mercy Lord, with solo violinist Eileen Spencer, will long be remembered.
"Without this country’s great tradition of amateur choral societies,
there would be no performances of these inspiring choral works as the
cost would be prohibitive. Members give up days to rehearse and
practise purely for the love of singing and of beautiful music. Ripon
Choral Society, drawn from a comparatively small population, is of a
high standard and able to cope well with difficult scores requiring a
high level of musicianship. Pitch, delivery and timing of difficult
entries were all excellent in this impressive performance The Orchestra
D’Amici, led by Eileen Spencer, offered a professional standard with
beautiful playing from the woodwind, continuo and the cello substitute
for viol de gamba, to mention a few of the gorgeous sounds. The
conductor, responsible for the final bringing together of such a
wonderful performance, was John Dunford, who led his large forces with
calm resolution and a strong, clear beat. He received an enthusiastic
ovation from audience and players.
"The performance brought alive in a remarkable way the tragedy and
pathos of the events leading up to the crucifixion and burial,
illuminating for all, of whatever faith or creed, the terror and
bleakness of the Passion, devoid of the Resurrection, before the coming
of Easter."
Bronwen Brindley, Darlington and Stockton Times,
10th April 2009
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