We began rehearsals for the St Matthew Passion on Tuesday 7 January 2020 at High Church, Hilton (7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m). Tuesday rehearsals continue at the same times at High Church, Hilton until Tuesday 10 March, with a break on Tuesday 18 February. From Tuesday 17 March the venue changes to St Machar's Cathedral, with a two week break during the school Easter holiday (no rehearsals on Tuesdays 7 and 14 April). There will be rehearsals with all participants on the afternoon of Saturday 25 April from 12:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. (no rehearsal on Sunday 26 April). The performance starts at 5:00 p.m.
Ideally, you should attend all rehearsals but if you miss more than three regular Tuesday rehearsals you will need permission from Musical Director Peter Parfitt before you can sing in the performance. Attendance at the two rehearsals on the weekend of the performance is compulsory.
You can buy a CD or download of your part from Choraline. A 10% discount is available for choir members - use the code ABERDEEN. You can follow your part online for free from Cyberbass.
Peter recommends listening the following recordings of the St Matthew Passion, available on YouTube, or on CD or download (not Netherlands Bach Society).
Jos Van Veldhoven and the Netherlands Bach Society YouTube (download not available)
(An authentic performance with period instruments and 8 people in Choir 1 and 4 people in Choir 2!!)
Stephen Cleobury and The Choir of King’s College Cambridge YouTube download MP3 or FLAC
John Eliot Gardiner and the English Baroque Soloists YouTube download MP3 or FLAC (also available in iTunes store or Apple Music)
(This version gives a really good delineation of the two choirs and orchestras spatially separated.)
April 2012 performance: programme notes detailed notes on the music including translations and commentary
April 2020 Weekly Rehearsal Schedule
Date |
Venue |
Items |
Tue 7 Jan |
High Church Hilton |
Introduction to the work. General sing through of as much as possible. |
Tue 14 Jan |
High Church Hilton |
1, 3, 4b, 4d, 9b, 9e |
Tue 21 Jan |
High Church Hilton |
10, 15, 17, 19, 20. Revise 1, 3, 4b, 4d, 9b, 9e |
Tue 28 Jan |
High Church Hilton |
25, 27a, 27b, 29. Revise 1, 10, 15, 17, 19, 20 |
Tue 4 Feb |
High Church Hilton |
30, 32, 36b, 36d, 37, 38. Revise 1, 4b, 4d, 9b, 9e, 25, 27a, 27b, 29 |
Tue 11 Feb |
High Church Hilton |
40, 41b, 44, 45a, 45b. Revise movements from Part 1 as required. |
Tue 18 Feb |
No rehearsal |
|
Tue 25 Feb |
High Church Hilton |
46, 50b, 50d, 53b, 54. Revise 40, 41b, 44, 45a, 45b |
Tue 3 Mar |
High Church Hilton |
58b, 58d, 61b, 61d, 62, 63b. Revise 46, 50b, 50d, 53b, 54 |
| Tue 10 Mar | High Church Hilton | 66b, 67, 68. Revise 58b, 58d, 61b, 61d, 62, 63b |
| Tue 17 Mar | St Machar's Cathedral | Revise 66b, 67, 68. Revise other movements as required. |
| Tue 24 Mar | St Machar's Cathedral | All of Part 1 |
| Tue 31 Mar | St Machar's Cathedral | All of Part 2 |
| Tue 7 Apr | No rehearsal | |
| Tue 14 Apr | No rehearsal | |
| Tue 21 Apr | St Machar's Cathedral | All, as required |
| Sat 25 Apr 12:00-3:00 p.m. 4:00-7:00 p.m. |
St Machar's Cathedral | Full rehearsals with soloists, orchestra and St Margaret's Choir |
Sun 26 Apr |
St Machar's Cathedral |
Performance |
