"Real Passion on display"
The Scotsman – Susan Nickalls
3 may 2002
Stephen Layton / Scottish Chamber Orchestra
Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh

BACH’S St John Passion is often considered to be the poor relation of the later and more substantial St Matthew Passion. But it was clear from this enthralling performance by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, SCO Chorus and a stellar line-up of soloists that thereís nothing second rate about this dramatic but intimate setting.

Part of the great appeal of the Passion is the element of story telling and Mark Padmore as the Evangelist was superb, constantly driving the story towards its inevitable conclusion. Grim-faced throughout, the tenor sang brilliantly.

The other characters in this drama were equally captivating. Jesus may be at the centre of the action but appears only as a minor character in Bach’s version. Nevertheless, baritone Paul Whelan delivered the lines with suitable gravitas and Èlan. A nice c! ounterpoint to Stephan Loges, a bass with a remarkable lightness of tone which cast Pilate in a somewhat sympathetic light. Soprano Carolyn Sampson and counter-tenor Michael Chance made only brief appearances but both sang with a passion and alacrity.

Tenor James Gilchrist landed some of the most beautiful arias in this piece, particularly just after the crowd has insisted Jesus be crucified.

The SCO, conducted by Stephen Layton, was in fine form, as was the SCO Chorus, who almost stole the show with their feisty approach, drilled with the utmost precision by the chorus master, Ben Parry.

While not completely flawless, this performance was utterly gripping and spiritually uplifting.

Tonight, 7:30pm, City Hall, Glasgow.

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