The St. Matthew Passion is revered today as one of the great masterpieces of the choral repertoire, but along with much of Bach’s vast output, it sank into obscurity in the decades following his death. When the 20-year-old Felix Mendelssohn conducted a performance of the Passion in 1829, it helped to inspire a widespread revival of Bach’s music, and fueled the growth of choral societies across Europe and the United States. The founding of Mendelssohn Club in 1874 was inspired by this revival and we are pleased to look back to our beginnings as we present the North American premiere of Mendelssohn’s edition of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. Artistic director Alan Harler studied the detailed performing notes found in Mendelssohn’s copy of Bach’s manuscript and this performance is be based on that research. This historic live performance, recorded on February 8, 2015 in the Girard College Chapel in Philadelphia, allows the listener to experience Bach’s genius through Mendelssohn’s eyes.

Artists

Susanna Phillips (soprano), Marietta Simpson (mezzo-soprano), Yusuke Fujii (tenor), Andrew Bogard (bass-baritone), Jessica Beebe (soprano), Margaret Nice (vocals), Jean Bernard Cerin (baritone), Ryan Tibbetts (bass), Jennifer Beattie (mezzo-soprano), Cory O'Niell Walker (tenor)

Mendelssohn Club of Philadelphia, Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Alan Harler