A Filipino interpretation of Bach’s St John Passion
On March 24th, Palm Sunday, the Bach Academie Alden Biesen (Limburg, Belgium) presented a special performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion. The performance took place in the church of the Grand Commandery Alden Biesen.
The Bach Academie Alden Biesen, choir and baroque orchestra, held its first concerts in 2012. All the choir singers – the Vokal Consort – have extensive choir experience. Most of them had received professional music education and are teachers in arts education. The orchestra – the Alden Biesen Baroque Orchestra – is composed of professional musicians, specialists in the performance of music from 1600 to the French Revolution, naturally on period instruments. The approach is ‘2x H.I.P.’ This means that special attention is paid to ‘Historically Informed & Inspired Performances‘. The Bach Academy is under the direction of Luc Ponet.
But there is more…
The Bach Academie Alden Biesen presents the Johannes Passion in collaboration with Collegium Vocale Manila, the Manila Baroque Ensemble, and the International Bamboo Organ Festival of Las Piñas in the Philippines.
The St John Passion is the counterpart of the perhaps even more famous St Matthew Passion, which Bach composed four years later (1728), two true masterpieces on the same subject yet so different. The St Matthew Passion can easily last for three hours, while Bach ends his St John Passion after about two hours. The explanation for this considerably shorter duration lies in the textual requirements.
In the St Matthew Passion, Bach meticulously depicts each phase of Jesus’s suffering. However, in the St. John Passion, he focuses on events starting from Jesus’s betrayal and arrest, through Peter’s denial, the interrogation, flogging, crucifixion, and ultimately Jesus’s death and burial. The scenes involving the high priests and Pilate are particularly intense, conveying a sense of excitement and passion.
Beverly Shangkuan-Cheng leads the ensemble and soloists. The choir and orchestra of the Bach Academie Alden Biesen are familiar with the historically informed performance practice that developed in Europe decades ago. The 25-voice choir impresses us with a very beautiful, balanced, well-articulated overall sound. In the orchestra, special mention should be made of Luc Ponet on organ, Barbara Hünninger on cello and viola da gamba, and Thomas Langlois on theorbo.
Six soloists are needed for the St John Passion. The protagonist is the Evangeliser, performed beautifully by Jan Van Elsacker. We’ll also hear Stefanie Quintin, soprano – Kyle Tingzon, alto – Ervin Lumauag, tenor – Lawrence Jatayna, bass and Kris Belligh, baritone.
Playlist:
1.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Johannes Passion
Bach Academie Alden Biesen, Collegium Vocale Manila, Manila Barok Ensemble
Jan Van Elsacker (Evangelist), Stefanie Quintin (soprano), Kyle Tingzon (alto), Ervin Lumauag (tenor) – Lawrence Jatayna (bass) and Kris Belligh (baritone).
Grand Commandery Alden Biesen, Bilzen, Belgian Limburg, 24 March 2024.
Recording technician: Leo August De Bock
2.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Additionally: Fantasia & Fugua in c, BWV 537
Bart Jacobs, organ
Sint-Michiels and Sint-Goedele Kerk, Brussels, 27 March 2024
Recording technician: Leo August De Bock
