If you love classical music and Easter, you’re in for a treat this week on Dutch NPO Klassiek. They’ll be featuring major classical works related to Easter.
“Moving and comforting. A highlight of music history. That’s the St Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach,” says Dutch NPO Klassiek. In the lead-up to Easter, from Sunday, April 13 to Saturday, April 19, they will focus on this masterpiece. The St Matthew Passion is a favorite among many listeners and consistently ranks number one in the Klassieke Top 400. You can also easily listen to the broadcasts outside the Netherlands, perfect if you’re on holiday or tuning in from abroad. After all, music is a universal language.
Nearly 300 Years Old
Johann Sebastian Bach composed his monumental piece about the suffering and death of Jesus nearly 300 years ago, and its story and music still resonate today. The St Matthew Passion is full of universal human emotions such as fear, betrayal, and love. Its powerful expression continues to move listeners. With hundreds of performances each year, the St Matthew Passion has become an essential part of Dutch musical life.
Passion Music on NPO Klassiek
Throughout the week, NPO Klassiek will feature the St Matthew Passion and other passion music:
- Sunday, April 13 – 12:00 PM, Sunday Afternoon Concert
Bach’s St Matthew Passion on Palm Sunday, performed by the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Netherlands Chamber Choir, the National Children’s Choir, and soloists, conducted by Riccardo Minasi. - Monday, April 14 – 8:00 PM, Evening Concert
St John Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach, performed by the Netherlands Chamber Orchestra and Cappella Amsterdam under Daniel Reuss. - Wednesday, April 16 – 8:00 PM, Evening Concert
Arvo Pärt’s minimalist and mystical Passio is one of his greatest works. Live from De Doelen in Rotterdam, performed by Vox Clamantis under Jaan-Eik Tulve. - Thursday, April 17 – 8:00 PM, Evening Concert
Vocal ensemble Cantoría breathes new life into centuries-old music. This concert features passion music by Spanish Renaissance composer Tomás Luis de Victoria. - Friday, April 18 – 8:00 PM, AVROTROS Friday Concert
A Good Friday performance of the cantata O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden by Felix Mendelssohn, a tribute to his great example, Johann Sebastian Bach. - Saturday, April 19 – 2:00 PM, NTR ZaterdagMatinee
The sorrow of Mary at the death of her son Jesus is musically portrayed in Joseph Haydn’s Stabat Mater and Salve Regina. Live from the Concertgebouw with Kammerorchester Basel under early music specialist René Jacobs. - Sunday, April 20 – 8:00 PM, Evening Concert
Passion music from the Baltic states: personal and meditative works by Pēteris Vasks and Arvo Pärt.
Additionally, the KRO-NCRV program De Ochtend will explore the personal stories behind the St Matthew Passion every day, from amateur singers who have rehearsed the piece with their choirs to a 12-year-old boy soprano singing in the children’s choir.
From Live Concerts to Podcasts
Everything about the St Matthew Passion is collected on npoklassiek.nl/matthaus. From live concerts by the Netherlands Bach Society and the Concertgebouw Orchestra to video recordings and fascinating podcasts about the background of Bach’s masterpiece.
Passion Music on Television and NPO 2 Extra
Fans can also watch the St Matthew Passion by Johann Sebastian Bach on the theme channel NPO 2 Extra. On Saturday, April 19, conductor and musicologist Johannes Leertouwer presents the “original” St Matthew, a smaller and more intimate version of Bach’s work, starting at 12:00 PM on NPO 2 Extra. On NPO 2, on Friday, April 18 at 12:15 PM, Bach’s St John Passion will be broadcast, performed by the Ars Musica Choir and Orchestra under Patrick van der Linden. These TV broadcasts are also available outside the Netherlands, for example via the NLZIET app.
For more information, background stories, and a complete overview of everything related to the St Matthew Passion on NPO Klassiek, visit npoklassiek.nl/matthaus. You can follow the St Matthew Passion week via NPO Klassiek, and the free NPO Luister app.