A Centenary performance of Sir Arthur Somervell's cantata The Passion of Christ
at Leeds Minster Sunday 30 March 2014 beginning at 6.30pm.
On Sunday 30th March, a centenary performance of Arthur Somervell's rarely heard 1914 work, "The Passion of Christ", is presented by the St. Peter's Singers in Leeds Minster at 6.30pm in the place of Choral Evensong. There will be a rehearsal of congregation hymns from 6.10pm onwards.
The Cantata The Passion of Christ was composed by Lake District-born composer Sir Arthur Somervell's exactly a century ago in 1914. The Passion follows very much in the traditions of Stainer (The Crucifixion of 1887) and Maunder (Olivet to Calvary of 1904).
The passion narrative unfolds mainly in recitative drawn from Gospel texts, while solo arias and 'choral meditations', with words probably by Somervell himself, reflect on the action. As in the Stainer and Maunder pieces, there are hymns for all to sing. Somervell's music is throughout reflective and beautiful and at times exquisite.
'It is, truly, a forgotten masterpiece,' said conductor Dr Simon Lindley. 'I remember obtaining a copy some years ago from a colleague who was organist of Holy Trinity Church in Boar Lane, and have been wanting for decades to give the piece an airing. The centenary year of its first performance provides us with an excellent opportunity!'
