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Photo: Ilkka Harjula

Wed Apr 1, 2026 at 6:30 pm
Temppeliaukio Church, Helsinki

Fri Apr 3, 2026 at 5 pm
Cathedral, Helsinki

St. Matthew Passion

The most extensive of Bach's passions

J.S. Bach

Tuomas Katajala, evangelist and tenor
Jyrki Korhonen, Jesus
Tuuli Takala, soprano
Jeni Packalén, alto
Aarne Pelkonen, bass
Cantores Minores training group choir, training Anna Hurme and Timo Pihkanen
Cantores Minores
Finnish Baroque Orchestra
Hannu Norjanen, conductor

In Leipzig, it was the custom since at least the 17th century to present and sing the story of Christ's suffering on Palm Sundays and Good Fridays according to the Gospels of John and Matthew. These performances, in which the text was read by singing, were partly a legacy from the time of Gregorian chant when the vocals were monophonic, but occasionally there could also be polyphony such as long organ points below the melody. This way of presenting the passion had spread widely to Lutheran Germany. From 1717, passion music was also performed polyphonically in Leipzig, and this form of passion music was prevalent when Johann Sebastian Bach began serving as the cantor of St. Thomas Church in the early summer of 1723.

According to the current understanding, the St. Matthew Passion was first presented during the Passion Week in 1727. It is the most extensive of Bach's preserved passions. The performance machinery is exceptionally large and is divided into two orchestras and a choir. In addition, several solo parts are included and all this makes the whole piece truly colorful. In addition to strings, harpsichords, and organ, Bach also uses flutes, oboes, horns, oboe d’amores, and bassoons. Additionally, the viola da gamba has a significant obligato stake in two arias. Trumpets and timpani drums are missing from the lineup since they were seen as unsuitable during the Passion Week at the time.

Duration: 3 h 30 min (incl. intermission)