A Passionate Performance

The Westmont Orchestra and College Choir will perform Bach's “St. John Passion” Sunday, March 29, at 3 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church on the corner of State and Constance streets. The concert is free and open to the public. They will also perform the Saturday before at St. Patrick’s Episcopal Church in Thousand Oaks.

Bach composed “St. John Passion” for Good Friday Vespers in 1724. Along with dramatic orchestra arrangements, it includes recitatives, chorales, arioso and aria movements and choruses, including sections where the congregation or audience is invited to join in. The text is based on the 18th and 19th chapters of the Gospel of John, telling the story of Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion.

“This work stands as one of the great masterpieces of Western art,” says Michael Shasberger, Adams professor of music and worship, who will conduct the performance. “Bach makes this telling of the story one that everyone becomes a part of. When modern movies of this event are long forgotten, Bach’s setting will still be inspiring the faithful and bringing people to the faith.”

Soloists include faculty members Grey Brothers, tenor, as John the Evangelist, and Nichole Dechaine, soprano. Guest soloists are Brian Bargiel, baritone, as Jesus, and Angela Rasmussen, mezzo soprano. Student soloists will portray the dramatic roles of Peter, Pilate and others characters in the story.

For more information, please contact Helen Park in the music department at (805) 565-6040 or hpark@westmont.edu.