200 people will perform Bach masterpiece this Sunday

Text Susanna Poikela
Photo Andrei Chertkov

On Palm Sunday, March 24, J.S. Bach’s masterpiece St. John’s Passion will be performed by more than 200 people at St. Charles Church (Kaarli Kirik) in Tallinn. The ensemble is comprised of two choirs, an orchestra, and soloists such as Elina Nechayeva.

The St. Charles Church Palm Sunday performance of St. John’s Passion has become a long tradition and conductor Andres Mustonen has become very familiar with the work over the years. 

The performers of the piece this year will be the choirs Collegium Musicale and Estonian Combined Choral Choir led by choirmaster Endrik Üksvärav. The soloists will be soprano Elina Nechayeva, mezzo-soprano Iris Oja, tenor Anto Õnnis, and bass Alvar Tiisler. The vocals will be accompanied by the Klaaspärlimäng Sinfonietta, organist Piret Aidulo, and keyboardist Peeter Vähi.

J.S. Bach’s St. John’s Passion is composed for a four-part choir, soloists, strings, and basso continuo, as well as pairs of flutes and oboes. The work is completed by a lute (now replaced with an organ), viola d’amore, and viola da gamba. The premiere of the piece took place exactly 300 years ago on Good Friday, led by the composer, in Leipzig’s St. Nicholas Church.

The first part of the St. John’s Passion describes the fall of Judas and betrayal and ends with the moment when Peter denies Jesus. The second part deals with the trial in which the governor Pontius Pilate sentences Jesus to death and the subsequent crucifixion, death and burial of Jesus.

Tickets for the concert are available at Piletilevi. 

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Andres Mustonen Church Concert Classical Music Concert Elina Nechayeva J.S. Bach Palm Sunday St. Charles Church