Watch Bach - St. Matthew Passion at King's College

Bach's St. Matthew Passion is a truly remarkable work of art that takes the audience on an emotional and spiritual journey, spanning nearly three hours. This particular recording, filmed at King's College, Cambridge, England, and featuring The Brandenburg Consort and the Choir of King's College under the direction of the renowned conductor Stephen Cleobury, is nothing short of exceptional.

The performance of the St. Matthew Passion in the Cambridge chapel is simply outstanding, with its spectacular acoustics and stunningly beautiful setting providing the perfect backdrop for Bach's music. The soloists, led by tenor James Gilchrist as the Evangelist, are brilliant, and their voices soar with passion and conviction throughout the entire performance.

The opening chorus sets the tone for the rest of the Passion, with the orchestra and choir seamlessly blending together to create a powerful and haunting sound. The highlight of the choral movements, however, is the final section, where the choir performs the hymn, "O Sacred Head, now Wounded," with such depth of feeling and resonance that it leaves the audience breathless.

The arias and recitatives are also beautifully performed, with each soloist bringing their own unique interpretation to their role. Soprano Susan Gritton's aria, "Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben," is particularly moving, with her sweet and delicate voice perfectly complementing the sentiment of the lyrics.

The instrumental passages are equally impressive, with Bach's intricate and complex contrapuntal writing being executed flawlessly by The Brandenburg Consort. The orchestra, made up of some of the finest period performers in the world, play with such skill and precision that it is truly a joy to watch and listen to.

The direction and editing of the film are also superb, with close-ups of the soloists and instrumentalists allowing the viewer to fully appreciate the emotions and technical skills of each performer. The camera work also captures the stunning architecture of King's College Chapel, making it seem as though the audience is right there in the audience, experiencing the performance firsthand.

Overall, this recording of Bach's St. Matthew Passion is a triumph, and a must-see for anyone who loves classical music. It is a deeply moving and spiritually uplifting experience that will stay with you long after the final notes have faded away.