Bach's St John Passion with Polyphony and the OAE: "practically perfect in every way" at St John's Smith Square, London on Friday 19th April 2019

Please note: This concert is in the past and has already taken place.

Bach's St John Passion with Polyphony and the OAE

"practically perfect in every way"

Part of the Holy Week Festival 2019

Add to my Calendar 19-04-2019 14:30 19-04-2019 16:30 36 Bach's St John Passion with Polyphony and the OAE Reviews of Polyphony's recording of Bach's St John Passion with the OAE include BBC Music Magazine "This new recording’s credentials border on the unassailable" and Presto Classical "It’s remarkable simply because it’s practically perfect in every way". Formed by Stephen Layton in 1986 for a concert in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, Polyphony has performed and recorded to great critical acclaim throughout the world, reviews declaring it "one of the best small choirs now before the public" (Telegraph) and "possibly the best small professional chorus in the world" (Encore Magazine, USA). The OAE has for the last three decades shocked, changed and mesmerised the music world. As this outfit with the funny name began to get a foothold, it vowed to keep questioning, adapting and inventing as long as it lived. Playing on period-specific instruments became just one element of its quest for authenticity. It still pushes for change, and still stands for excellence, diversity and exploration – and today it is cherished more than ever. This year’s top soloists are as always hand-picked by Stephen Layton – some well-established such as Neal Davies as Jesus, and Evangelist Nick Pritchard; some newer to the concert platform including Rowan Pierce, presented with the President's Award by HRH Prince of Wales at the Royal College of Music in 2017, Helen Charlston, winner of the 2018 Handel Singing Competition, and Ruairi Bowen, who prior to the SJSS performance makes his Australian debut with Stephen Layton and the Adelaide and Tasmania Symphony Orchestras. Ashley Riches, a BBC New Generation Artist, returns to sing the bass arias.  St John's Smith Square, London DD/MM/YYYY

Details

St John's Smith Square
Smith Square
City of Westminster
London
SW1P 3HA
England

Friday 19th April 2019
2:30 PM

Programme

Johann Sebastian Bach – St John Passion, BWV 245

Performers

Nick Pritchard – Evangelist
Neal Davies – Christ
Rowan Pierce – soprano
Helen Charlston – mezzo-soprano
Ruari Bowen – Tenor
Ashley Riches – Bass

Polyphony
Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment

Programme Note

Reviews of Polyphony's recording of Bach's St John Passion with the OAE include BBC Music Magazine "This new recording’s credentials border on the unassailable" and Presto Classical "It’s remarkable simply because it’s practically perfect in every way".

Formed by Stephen Layton in 1986 for a concert in King’s College Chapel, Cambridge, Polyphony has performed and recorded to great critical acclaim throughout the world, reviews declaring it "one of the best small choirs now before the public" (Telegraph) and "possibly the best small professional chorus in the world" (Encore Magazine, USA). The OAE has for the last three decades shocked, changed and mesmerised the music world. As this outfit with the funny name began to get a foothold, it vowed to keep questioning, adapting and inventing as long as it lived. Playing on period-specific instruments became just one element of its quest for authenticity. It still pushes for change, and still stands for excellence, diversity and exploration – and today it is cherished more than ever. This year’s top soloists are as always hand-picked by Stephen Layton – some well-established such as Neal Davies as Jesus, and Evangelist Nick Pritchard; some newer to the concert platform including Rowan Pierce, presented with the President's Award by HRH Prince of Wales at the Royal College of Music in 2017, Helen Charlston, winner of the 2018 Handel Singing Competition, and Ruairi Bowen, who prior to the SJSS performance makes his Australian debut with Stephen Layton and the Adelaide and Tasmania Symphony Orchestras. Ashley Riches, a BBC New Generation Artist, returns to sing the bass arias.

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