Immerse yourself in the powerful and uplifting retelling of the Passiontide story with Bob Chilcott's "St. John Passion." Released on March 3, 2015, via Signum Records, this choral masterpiece is a dramatic yet optimistic setting of words from the Gospel of St. John. Composed by the renowned British choral conductor and composer Bob Chilcott, this work combines elements from the 13th and 17th centuries, creating a unique and captivating musical experience.
Spanning 67 minutes and 45 seconds, the album features the stunning vocals of the Wells Cathedral Choir, conducted by Jonathan Vaughn and Matthew Owens. The "St. John Passion" is divided into three parts, each exploring different aspects of the Passion narrative through a series of hymns and dramatic choral pieces. From the solemn "Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious Battle" to the reflective "When I Survey the Wondrous Cross," each track offers a profound and moving exploration of faith and devotion.
Bob Chilcott's compositional style shines through in this work, showcasing his ability to blend historical influences with contemporary choral writing. The ethos and aesthetics of the "St. John Passion" are closely linked, creating a cohesive and immersive listening experience. Whether you're a fan of choral music or simply appreciate beautiful, well-crafted compositions, this album is sure to resonate with you.
(C) 2015 Signum Records
Tracks
St. John Passion, Part I: Sing, My Tongue, the Glorious BattleBob Chilcott, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Nick Baron, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part I: The GardenBob Chilcott, Ed Lyon, Matthew Souter, Richard May, Nick Baron, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part I: Hymn: It Is A Thing Most WonderfulBob Chilcott, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Nick Baron, Jonathan Vaughn, Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part I: Peter’s DenialBob Chilcott, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Matthew Souter, Richard May, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part I: Miserere, My MakerBob Chilcott, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part I: Hymn - Drop, Drop Slow TearsBob Chilcott, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part II: The Judgement Hall (I)Bob Chilcott, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Matthew Souter, Richard May, Nick Baron, Jonathan Vaughn, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part II: Hymn - Jesu, Grant Me This, I PrayBob Chilcott, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Jonathan Vaughn, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part II: Christ, My BelovedBob Chilcott, Wells Cathedral Choir, Laurie Ashworth, Jonathan Vaughn, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part II: The Judgement Hall (II)Bob Chilcott, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Matthew Souter, Richard May, Nick Baron, Jonathan Vaughn, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part II: Away Vain WorldBob Chilcott, Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens, Jonathan Vaughn
St. John Passion, Part III: Jesus is CrucifiedBob Chilcott, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Matthew Souter, Richard May, Nick Baron, Jonathan Vaughn, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part III: Hymn: There is a Green Hill Far AwayBob Chilcott, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Jonathan Vaughn, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part III: The CrucifixionBob Chilcott, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Matthew Souter, Richard May, Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part III: Jesus, My LemanBob Chilcott, Wells Cathedral Choir, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Jonathan Vaughn, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part III: Jesus Dies on the CrossBob Chilcott, Chaconne Brass, Ed Lyon, Neal Davies, Matthew Souter, Richard May, Matthew Owens
St. John Passion, Part III: When I Survey the Wondrous CrossBob Chilcott, Chaconne Brass, Wells Cathedral Choir, Wells Cathedral Oratorio Society, Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir, Laurie Ashworth, Ed Lyon, Darren Jeffrey, Neal Davies, Nick Baron, Jonathan Vaughn, Matthew Owens
Bob Chilcott, born in Plymouth in 1955, is a renowned British choral composer, conductor, and singer, deeply rooted in the British choral tradition. His journey in music began as a boy chorister and continued through his tenure as a tenor with the acclaimed vocal group, The King's Singers, from 1985 to 1997. Since then, Chilcott has dedicated himself full-time to composing and conducting, creating a vast catalog of choral works published by Oxford University Press. His compositions and conducting have earned him the title of "a contemporary hero of British choral music" from The Observer. Chilcott's influence extends beyond his compositions; he has served as the conductor of the Chorus of the Royal College of Music in London and has been the Principal Guest Conductor of the BBC Singers since 2002. His work continues to inspire and enrich the choral music scene, making him a beloved figure in the world of choral music.
Vinylscout
Bob Chilcott
