Composer

:

Hilarion Alfeyev

Genre

:

Choral

Average_duration

:

02:04:14

Movement_count

:

47

Movement ....

The St. Matthew Passion is a choral work composed by Hilarion Alfeyev, a Russian Orthodox bishop and composer. The piece was composed in 2006 and premiered in Moscow on April 15, 2007. The work is divided into two parts, with a total of 24 movements. The St. Matthew Passion is a musical retelling of the Passion of Christ, as told in the Gospel of Matthew. The work is scored for a large orchestra, choir, and soloists. The music is heavily influenced by the traditions of Russian Orthodox liturgical music, with rich harmonies and soaring melodies. The first part of the work begins with an orchestral introduction, followed by a choral setting of the opening verses of the Gospel of Matthew. The soloists then take turns singing the roles of various characters in the Passion story, including Jesus, Judas, and Peter. The choir provides commentary and reflection on the events as they unfold. The second part of the work begins with a choral setting of the Lord's Prayer, followed by a series of arias and recitatives sung by the soloists. The final movement is a choral setting of the hymn "O Sacred Head, Now Wounded," which is a traditional hymn associated with the Passion of Christ. The St. Matthew Passion is characterized by its emotional intensity and its use of rich harmonies and soaring melodies. The work is a powerful musical retelling of the Passion story, and is considered one of the most important works in the Russian Orthodox choral tradition.

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