Bach’s ‘St. John’ Passion

March 2013, St. Mary Magdalene, Taunton

Soloists: Lorna Anderson, Richard Wilberforce, Thomas Elwin, William Gaunt

Amici performed Bach’s ‘St. John’ Passion recently at Taunton’s St . Mary Magdalene’s Church, their first concert since the death of their founder, Dr. John Cole. John always strived for the highest standards and this concert conducted by Andrew Trewhella did not disappoint. The Bristol Ensemble – a professional orchestra of nineteen, played for this performance. The John Passion is the shortest of Bach’s great choral compositions and in this performance it was performed in English. The blended sound was wonderfully symphonic and not at all a disappointment. This is a big sing for the choir, and in tune throughout they never flagged for a moment – their spirited syncopated choruses in the second half were well realised and bounced along as they should.

Tenor Thomas Elwin offered an outstanding Evangelist. He dealt effortlessly with the high tessitura and his diction was impeccable. Soprano Lorna Anderson sang her wonderful, arias with vocal ease and fluency. Bass, William Gaunt and alto Richard Wilberforce, both made excellent contributions in their arias. Michael Collins sang the part of Jesus from within the choir, his understated beautiful singing creating a feeling of calm which contrasted with the urgency of the Evangelist’s narrative. Other parts were sung by members of the choir and Stephen Page has to be congratulated for his Pilate – the recitatives are exposed and numerous.

The orchestra was excellent although at times the woodwinds played too loudly in the arias which was a pity. The organ continuo was superbly rendered by Matthew Bale and the ‘cello accompaniment of Robyn Austin in the alto aria “It is fulfilled” was very good indeed. Andrew conducted with confidence, pace and sensitivity and everything held wonderfully together across the entire work. Putting on these concerts is a tour de force of team effort and Amici are to be congratulated once again.

Wayne Bennett