St Matthew Passion - the Last Word in Passion Music

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One of the greatest, and most beautiful creations in all of musical history, is Johann Sebastian Bach’s St Matthew Passion. And although it is one of countless musical retellings of “the greatest story ever told”, near-universal evaluation has it standing head-and-shoulders above all others.

The concept of “Passion” music is a very old one. The word itself comes from the Latin verb ‘patior’, which means to suffer, or to endure. Interestingly, it is also the verb from which we get the words ‘patience’ and ‘patient’. Musical settings of the Passion of Christ, i.e. His final days of suffering and crucifixion, date from the 4th century onward, and they range from unaccompanied plainsong to works for soloists, chorus and orchestra.

Bach wrote a number of Passions, including one inspired by each of the four Gospels. Other composers, including Handel and Teleman, have also written them, and the tradition has endured into the modern age, with works such as Jesus Christ Superstar, Godspell, and The Witness telling the story of Christ’s suffering from differing points of view.

Bach’s ‘St Matthew Passion’ is widely regarded as one of the greatest masterpieces of Baroque sacred music. And yet, at the time of its first performance, it was not without controversy. Its structure and presentation had something which resonates with modern audiences. It was, and is, a theatrical concept. It’s even written in two parts – two acts – with an interval in between, and this was part of why its first performance had mixed reactions. Parts of the congregation/audience felt that it was too ‘operatic’, and not an appropriate musical work for a church service.

But thanks largely to the perceptive insight of Felix Mendelssohn in the early 19th century, Bach’s masterpiece, and subsequently, all of his existing work, was ultimately rescued from obscurity, and audiences the world over can experience the wonder that is Bach’s St Matthew Passion.

Honestly, to tell you just how wonderful this work is, and how it touches the hearts of countless millions of music lovers, would take more words, and much cleverer ways of putting them together, than I will ever have. Suffice to say that, if you are fortunate enough to secure a ticket for Oriana Choir’s one performance only at Venue 114 on Sunday, November 8 (and they are selling fast), you will look back on it afterwards and think to yourself, “Thank goodness I did not pass up that opportunity!”

Ian Rix

October 23, 2026

J.S.Bach St. Matthew Passion

Sunday 8 November, 2:00pm

Venue 114, Sportsmans Parade, Bokarina

For bookings and information, go to www.oriana.org.au