Oriana takes on Bach’s monumental masterpiece

Conductor Kim Kirkman loves Bach.

by Erle Levey 

One of the most important works in the whole of the history of western music is coming to the Sunshine Coast.

In a first for the acclaimed Oriana Choir, the ensemble will perform Johann Sebastian Bach’s monumental St Matthew Passion on Sunday, 8 November.

Running from 2pm to 4.30pm, the landmark performance will be held at Venue 114 in Bokarina.

Under the baton of acclaimed conductor Kim Kirkman, this extraordinary performance featuring double chorus and double orchestra brings together the rich voices of Oriana Choir, the Sinfonia of St Andrews, a special appearance by the Sunshine Coast Youth Choir, and distinguished soloists Michelle Bull (soprano), Anne Fulton (alto), Liam Jackson (tenor), and Jason Barry-Smith (bass).

Special guests will be Hungarian-born cellist and senior lecturer in cello at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Dr. György Déri and Brisbane-born violinist Warwick Adeney.

Bach’s great work will be sung in English, allowing audiences to experience the unfolding story and emotional power of the text with an immediacy rarely possible in its original German.

The timing is especially significant as 2027 marks 300 years since the St Matthew Passion’s first performance in Leipzig in 1727 – three centuries of a masterpiece that has lost none of its extraordinary power to move, challenge and inspire.

“It takes us on a huge emotional journey,’’ Oriana artistic director Kim Kirkman said, “ ... the last days, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

“Even though St Matthew Passion tells a dramatic story, there are no surprises in the plot: Jesus is betrayed, he is convicted, and the hero of the story will die in the end.

“However, because the plot is so well known, Bach can dwell on the emotions of the story.

“The music pulls listeners into reflection, allowing them to delve deeply into the story’s emotions.

“It’s a big piece in so many ways … it’s quite long and includes so many players.

“A very challenging composition for the choristers and soloists.’’

For this, the Oriana Choir is divided into two and invites us to join in the remembrance of the telling of this story.

Bach’s music serves as a radical challenge to our habits. It does not accommodate our restlessness. Instead, it invites us to slow down and listen.

The first action sets up two themes. First, Jesus is preparing himself and his disciples for his death; and second, the Pharisees are plotting to arrest and kill Jesus.

The Pharisees were an ancient group of Jews, written about in the Bible, who believed in obeying religious laws very carefully and separated themselves from the ordinary people.

Previous artistic director and life member Fay Baker describes it as “a demanding work but magnificent.’’

St Matthew Passion can be compared with Handel’s Messiah as a supreme choral masterpiece.

“While Messiah is performed often, this is an opportunity to experience Bach’s work.

“This is a very dramatic work. People should come to see this.

“It’s so clever … he uses music to demonstrate an emotion.

“This requires a massive thought process. What an experience it will be.

“The telling of the story is the difference.

“So many choirs sing it in German, but this time it will be in English so the choir and the audience understand it.

“It’s only a few days in the life of Jesus but it’s critical to understand the story.

“It’s just amazing. How did Bach do it? How did he write it all?’

American conductor, composer and music director Leonard Bernstein describes how the unexpected notes make you wonder what will happen next.

Choir 1 is the disciples while Choir 2 is the commentators of the story.

Artistic director and conductor Kim Kirkman loves Bach.

He has performed a lot of Bach in the past and used to be the conductor as well as a life member of the Bach Society of Queensland.

“When I was 12 - that was in Cairns - I used to listen to Bach’s unaccompanied sonatas and partitas on violin.

“I had two cassette tapes and used to listen to about a half an hour each every night for two years.

“Being a viola player, we played the Bach cello suites and think of them as our own - so I have a big affinity for the cello as well as the violin.’’

While Oriana Choir has done Handel before, St Matthew Passion creates an independence for singers so they can become strong, and hold their own parts.

“It’s quite challenging. We are doing eight parts.

“When you can hold your part against seven other parts in an ensemble, and they’re all moving in different times and doing different things, you are working by yourself but with other people.

“There’s a sense of development as a singer. The harmonic structure of Bach and the way you listen to harmony, it has its own language.

“It takes you to a different place. It teaches you visually how to think aurally.

“It’s the emotion that comes through … you can feel the passion.

“The intensity that comes through. He’s trying to bring it to life, give colour to it.’’

For Kim Kirkman as a conductor, as a music director, and as an artist, he has always known about this work; how difficult it is - emotionally and musically.

“I like a challenge.

“You can hear Bach entering into it wholeheartedly … you just have to go with it, you just have to honour it.

"I'm very excited to be working with György Déri  and with violinist Warwick Adeney, who was the co-leader of the Brisbane Symphony Orchestra, and has done this work many times. 

"He’s a wonderful musician.’’ 

• Further information: https://www.oriana.org.au/