Description
for soloists, SATB, and organ Written for the Choir of Wells Cathedral, of which Matthew Owens is Organist and Master of the Choristers, this setting of the St Matthew Passion is ideally suited to liturgical performance during Holy Week. The principal role of the Evangelist is taken by a baritone soloist, who narrates the story of Christ's trial and Crucifixion in unaccompanied chant. The other, smaller, solo roles of Judas (tenor), Pilate (tenor), Jesus (bass), and Pilate's wife (alto) continue in the same vein, with four-part choral interspersions from the crowds, soldiers, and priests providing a contrast in texture. The hymn 'When I survey the wondrous cross', set to the Rockingham hymn tune, appears twice throughout the work, and the congregation are encouraged to join in on both occasions. The simple organ part supports the voices for the hymn, and may also optionally double the choir during the narrative.
About the Author
Matthew Owens studied at Chetham's School of Music and became Organ Scholar at The Queen's College, Oxford from where he graduated in music. He won many prizes and awards as an organist, then studied at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. He was Tutor in Organ Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music and at Chetham's and worked for BBC Religious Broadcasting. Matthew worked extensively as Assistant Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain from 1993-1999 and conducted many distinguished orchestras. He is in demand for choral workshops, masterclasses and adjudications in the UK and abroad and has made over twenty-five CDs as a conductor or solo organist. He has championed new music, particularly of British composers, premiering many new works by leading composers ranging from Jools Holland to James MacMillan, and John Rutter to Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. He is Organist & Master of the Choristers of Wells Cathedral and a composer.
Reviews
The short choruses are evocative and harmonically interesting and ideally should be sung unaccompanied. Although not too difficult, they require an assured sense of pitch and taut rhythm. Verses of the hymn 'When I survey the wondrous cross' (Rockingham) inserted into this Passion provide an opportunity for congregational participation. This would be a most effective setting to enhance the gospel during a Passion tide service. * Gordon Appleton, Church Music Quarterly, March 14 *
Where this setting scores most highly is that it doesn't rely on gimmick or meretricious gesture. It does what it does, which is to add subtle colour to the words of the Passion narrative, and it does so with understatement and craftsmanship. * Jeremy Summerly, Choir & Organ, January 15 *
Book Information
ISBN 9780193398177
Author Matthew Owens
Page Count 20
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 40g
Dimensions(mm) 255mm * 179mm * 2mm
About the Author
Matthew Owens studied at Chetham's School of Music and became Organ Scholar at The Queen's College, Oxford from where he graduated in music. He won many prizes and awards as an organist, then studied at the Sweelinck Conservatorium in Amsterdam. He was Tutor in Organ Studies at the Royal Northern College of Music and at Chetham's and worked for BBC Religious Broadcasting. Matthew worked extensively as Assistant Conductor of the National Youth Choir of Great Britain from 1993-1999 and conducted many distinguished orchestras. He is in demand for choral workshops, masterclasses and adjudications in the UK and abroad and has made over twenty-five CDs as a conductor or solo organist. He has championed new music, particularly of British composers, premiering many new works by leading composers ranging from Jools Holland to James MacMillan, and John Rutter to Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. He is Organist & Master of the Choristers of Wells Cathedral and a composer.
Reviews
The short choruses are evocative and harmonically interesting and ideally should be sung unaccompanied. Although not too difficult, they require an assured sense of pitch and taut rhythm. Verses of the hymn 'When I survey the wondrous cross' (Rockingham) inserted into this Passion provide an opportunity for congregational participation. This would be a most effective setting to enhance the gospel during a Passion tide service. * Gordon Appleton, Church Music Quarterly, March 14 *
Where this setting scores most highly is that it doesn't rely on gimmick or meretricious gesture. It does what it does, which is to add subtle colour to the words of the Passion narrative, and it does so with understatement and craftsmanship. * Jeremy Summerly, Choir & Organ, January 15 *
Book Information
ISBN 9780193398177
Author Matthew Owens
Page Count 20
Imprint Oxford University Press
Publisher Oxford University Press
Weight(grams) 40g
Dimensions(mm) 255mm * 179mm * 2mm
