Immerse yourself in the profound and introspective world of Sven-David Sandström's "The Passion of St. John," a monumental choral work that stands as a testament to the composer's mastery of minimalism and choral composition. Released on April 28, 2017, under the Exlibris label, this album is a deeply moving exploration of the Passion narrative, as told through the Gospel of John.
Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 50 minutes, "The Passion of St. John" is a sprawling epic divided into 45 tracks, each one a poignant reflection on the events leading up to and following the crucifixion of Jesus. Sandström's composition is notable for its intricate layering of voices and subtle, repetitive motifs, creating a sense of both intimacy and grandeur. The Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, under the direction of Mogens Dahl, delivers a stunning performance, their voices blending seamlessly to bring Sandström's vision to life.
The album features a stellar cast of vocalists, including Daniel Carlsson and Lars Møller, whose powerful and nuanced performances add depth and resonance to the work. The ensemble Brooklyn Rider also contributes to the album, their string playing adding a rich, textural element to the choral writing.
"The Passion of St. John" is not just a retelling of a familiar biblical story, but a deeply personal and introspective exploration of faith, suffering, and redemption. Sandström's unique compositional voice shines through in every track, from the hauntingly beautiful "Der Er Fattigt I Mine Øjne" to the powerful and dramatic "The Raging Sea of Fire." Each track is a journey in itself, inviting the listener to contemplate the profound themes at the heart of the Passion narrative.
For fans of choral music, minimalism, and thought-provoking composition, "The Passion of St. John" is an essential addition to any collection. The album's stunning performances, intricate composition, and profound themes make it a standout work in the choral repertoire. Whether you are a longtime fan of Sven-David Sandström's work or a newcomer to his music, "The Passion of St. John" is sure to leave a lasting impression.
(C) 2017 Exlibris
Tracks
The Passion of St. John: Darkness Struck The FaceSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: I Was The VoiceSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Der Er Fattigt I Mine ØjneSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: And Yet He Was The ChristSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: About The Same TimeSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: This Was The Dead LandSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Du Kvæger i Ørken Den Tørstende SjælSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: After ThisSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: The Raging Sea of FireSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Now Before The Feast of PassoverSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: I Will Not Leave You ComfortlessSven-David Sandström, Lars Møller, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Lo, Now Speakest Thou PlainlySven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: When Jesus Had Spoken These WordsSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: He Was Brought As a Lamb to the SlaughterSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: And Now Began The NightSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Er Vi Dit Ansigts VædeSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: The High Priest Then Asked JesusSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, David Wijkman, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Lange Gader Af LatterSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Behold the Man!Sven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, David Wijkman, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Lad Mig Føle, Hver Gang NårSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Then Delivered He HimSven-David Sandström, Lars Møller, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: O Knowledge of Enfolding MotherhoodSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Lå Du Under ModerhjerteSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: After This, Jesus KnowingSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: LAMENTSven-David Sandström, Jens Bjørn-Larsen, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Nu Brænder Dagens SkibeSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Then Came The SoldiersSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: And He that Saw It Bare RecordSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: He Used to SaySven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: An Angel with No FaceSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Perhaps the Angel Wanted to StaySven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Where Was I?Sven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Tag det Sorte Kors fra GravenSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: On the Following MorningSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: But Mary Stood WithoutSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Lars Møller, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Eja! Søde FørstegrødeSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Mary Magdalene Later Came to UsSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Now Lord, You Let your Servant Go in PeaceSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: All this Took Place a Long Time AgoSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: Dråber fra Dugvåde GreneSven-David Sandström, Mogens Dahl Chamber Choir, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: I Have Ascended to the Highest in MeSven-David Sandström, Jens Bjørn-Larsen, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: About the TendernessSven-David Sandström, Jens Bjørn-Larsen, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: I Had this Dream about HimSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: My God, My Bright AbyssSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
The Passion of St John: The Lark Sitting upon his Earthy BedSven-David Sandström, Daniel Carlsson, Mogens Dahl
Sven-David Sandström (1942-2019) was a prolific and influential Swedish composer whose extensive catalog spans over 600 works, encompassing a wide range of genres including operas, oratorios, ballets, choral pieces, and orchestral works. Born in Motala, Sandström's musical journey began with studies in musicology and art history at Stockholm University, followed by composition studies at the Royal College of Music. His early career was marked by modernist tendencies, but by the 1980s, his style evolved into a more emotional and neo-romantic language, captivating audiences worldwide.
Sandström gained international recognition with his orchestral piece "Through and Through," premiered at the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam. His works often explore sacred themes, with notable pieces including "The High Mass," a Catholic mass inspired by Bach's B-Minor Mass, and large-scale vocal works like his two Requiems and passions based on the Gospels of Matthew and John. Throughout his career, Sandström held prestigious teaching positions, including at the Royal College of Music in Stockholm and Indiana University in the United States. His eclectic and emotive compositions continue to inspire and engage audiences, cementing his legacy as one of Sweden's most significant contemporary composers.
Vinylscout
Sven-David Sandström
