J. S. Bach: St Matthew Passion

Conducted by David Pipe, accompanied by the York Musical Society Orchestra.

York Minster is the appropriately magnificent setting for this monumental choral work, described by Sir Simon Rattle as ‘one of those achievements that we don’t see again in the history of humanity.’ Based on St Matthew’s Gospel, Part One tells the story of the betrayal and arrest of Jesus; Part Two turns darker and softer as it depicts his trial, crucifixion and burial. The Evangelist, sung by a tenor, narrates the Gospel text; the words of Jesus are sung by the bass Christus. A double chorus and orchestra, an additional ‘ripieno’ soprano chorus and four additional soloists combine to make this a must-hear masterpiece.