J S Bach's St. John Passion review

Although Bach's St. John Passion was not a concert performance, it possessed the same high standard of singing and orchestral brilliance.

All those attending entered in silence, watched and left in silence without any applause before, during or after the performance.

The Combined Choirs of St Peter's Cathedral and Elder Conservatorium, including the Elder Conservatorium Chamber Orchestra provided superb support to Robert MacFarlane, Keith Hempton and Lachlan Scott in featured roles.

Einfach Klasse! by Linh

It was standing room only in the packed St Peter's Cathedral, as Reverend Steven Odgen welcomed and thanked all for attending the special meditative and reflective event for Good Friday.

JS Bach's St. John Passion was performed in German with tenor Robert MacFarlane in one of his biggest and longest singing roles as Evangelista. Robert has a magnificence in vocal quality and expression to match the recitative nature of the performance. Bass Keith Hempton was moving and defiant as Christus (Jesus), while singing in fine timbre and precision. Another brilliant bass Lachlan Scott as Pilatus, has the ability to colour the text with his deep dark vocal tones adding authority and something sinister to the character.

The combined choirs brought passion and excitement to the hymns and arias, reflecting on the dramatic scenes, while the orchestra, under the baton of musical director Carl Crossin, brought to life the complexity, sophistication and poetic imagery of Bach's music.

An impressive performance of Bach's St. John Passion, was initially composed to allow the audience to identify with Jesus' suffering and sacrifice through music, yet it is enjoyable on a non-spiritual level.

Holy Week; Tuesday; Meditative Recital

As part of the 2007 Cathedral Series, the St Peter's Cathedral presented a series of public performances for Holy Week.

Holy Tuesday's Meditative Recital featured the Gregorian Choir of St Peter's Cathedral, soprano Jessica Dean and Anthony Hunt in the dual role of Director and accompanist on organ.

It was a performance of silent observation and among the Johann Sebastian Bach piano/organ repertoire were Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giulio Caccini.

You enter and sit in silence, there is to be no applause before, during or after the performance and you leave in silence.

En-Chanting Meditative Recital by Linh

Gregorian chant may not appeal to some but those who atttended the Tuesday's Meditative Recital at St Peter's Cathedral, certainly were moved by The Gregorian Choir's stirring and inspirational performance.

The chants performed were parts of the Proper Mass including Introit, Gradual, Offertory and Communion.

The unaccompanied monophonic chants continue to bring a profound sense of mystery, whether it's listened to within a liturgical situation or not. The sheer beauty of the male voice in plainsong is an aural pleasure and to hear it performed live is sublime.

Alternating throughout the performance of Gregorian chants, lovely soprano Jessica Dean delivered Ach, Ich Fuhls from Mozart's 'Die Zauberflote (The Magic Flute' in an expressive and rich tone, before her beautifully hypnotic rendition of Ave Maria (Hail Mary) by Giulio Caccini.

Director and accompanist Anthony Hunt on organ had the audience spellbound with each of his JS Bach repertory including the beautiful Baroque chorale prelude O Mensch, Bewein Dein Sunde Gross, Fantasia and Fugue in C minor and the enlightening Fantasia on Jesu Meine Freude.

The recital's music, chanting and singing takes you into the spirit of reflection as you are imbued with a sense of deep serenity and contentment.