Copeland and Kurt Masur discusses Bach’s St. Matthew

I write this on the morning after my Birmingham Concert Chorale completed a successful performance of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion.  What a work! 

 

It is a pity that I didn’t enjoy the work until the night of the performance.  We only had two months to prepare it – and that is quite difficult for a group of volunteer musicians.  My approach was one of some frustration and impending doom.

 

I will approach it differently next time – because I caught a glimpse of the genius of the work even though it was far too late.

 

Many composers consider the St. Matthew the “Holy Grail” and I understand that better now.  Here is a video of Kurt Masur talking about the work – he calls it one of the centerpieces of his whole repertoire: