Bent Sørensen's St Matthew Passion is conceived as a 'journey in the mist' towards resurrection, reflecting his personal faith in resurrection over death.
Composition History
Composer Bent Sørensen decided around 2014 that all his compositional efforts would lead to a St Matthew Passion, viewing smaller choral works as 'stepping stones' towards this goal.
Compositional Technique
Bent Sørensen's St Matthew Passion avoids traditional recitatives and includes only one hidden quote from Bach's St Matthew Passion: the melody for "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?".
Performer Biography
The Norwegian Soloists' Choir, one of Europe's leading chamber choirs, has received numerous awards, including the Diapason d'Or de l'Année twice and the Spellemannprisen (Norwegian Grammy).
Notable Performances
The world premiere of Bent Sørensen's St Matthew Passion was postponed due to the pandemic, with a streamed performance in March 2021 and the first proper concert performance taking place in Oslo Cathedral in March 2022.
Compositional Technique
The libretto for Bent Sørensen's St Matthew Passion, curated by Jakob Holtze, combines biblical texts with poetry from six authors, including Edith Södergran, Anna Akhmatova, Emily Dickinson, and Søren Ulrik Thomsen.
Performer Biography
Grete Pedersen, the conductor, is renowned for her wide stylistic variety, pioneering the combination of folk music and choir, and is the artistic director of the Carmel Bach Festival.
You might also enjoy...
Till ängeln med de brinnande händerna (To the Angel with the fiery hands)
Grier: A Sequence for the Ascension
Even You Song
Kurt Sander: The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom
Arvo Pärt: Magnificat, Stabat Mater
O quam gloriosum
Ulrich Zeitler: Veni Sancte Spiritus
Łukaszewski: Via Crucis
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi: Choral Music
Rihm: Deus Passus, "St. Luke Passion"
Vespertina Hymnodia: Sacred Music by Claudio Dall’Albero
