St Matthew Passion: Vocal Score

ISBN-13: 9780193398177 / Angielski

Matthew Owens

Opis

for soloists, SATB, and organ Written for the Choir of Wells Cathedral, of which Matthew Owens is Organist and Master of the Choristers, this setting of the St Matthew Passion is ideally suited to liturgical performance during Holy Week. The principal role of the Evangelist is taken by a baritone soloist, who narrates the story of Christ's trial and Crucifixion in unaccompanied chant. The other, smaller, solo roles of Judas (tenor), Pilate (tenor), Jesus (bass), and Pilate's wife (alto) continue in the same vein, with four-part choral interspersions from the crowds, soldiers, and priests providing a contrast in texture. The hymn 'When I survey the wondrous cross', set to the Rockingham hymn tune, appears twice throughout the work, and the congregation are encouraged to join in on both occasions. The simple organ part supports the voices for the hymn, and may also optionally double the choir during the narrative.

Recenzje

Where this setting scores most highly is that it doesn't rely on gimmick or meretricious gesture. It does what it does, which is to add subtle colour to the words of the Passion narrative, and it does so with understatement and craftsmanship.

O autorze

Matthew Owens studied at Chetham's School of Music and became Organ Scholar at The Queen's College, Oxford from where he graduated in music. He won many prizes and awards as an organist, then studied at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. He was Tutor in Organ Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music and at Chetham's and worked for BBC Religious Broadcasting. Matthew worked extensively as Assistant Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain from 1993-1999 and conducted many distinguished orchestras. He is in demand for choral workshops, masterclasses and adjudications in the UK and abroad and has made over twenty-five CDs as a conductor or solo organist. He has championed new music, particularly of British composers, premiering many new works by leading composers ranging from Jools Holland to James MacMillan, and John Rutter to Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. He is Organist & Master of the Choristers of Wells Cathedral and a composer.