Composer

:

Osvaldo Golijov

Genre

:

Choral

Style

:

Choral

Compose Date

:

2001

Average_duration

:

44:15

The Passion according to St. Mark is a musical composition by the Argentine composer Osvaldo Golijov. It was composed in 2000 and premiered on March 21, 2000, at the Stuttgart Bach Academy in Germany. The piece is divided into 15 movements and is approximately 75 minutes long. The Passion according to St. Mark is a retelling of the story of the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, as told in the Gospel of Mark. The piece is scored for a large ensemble, including choir, soloists, and a variety of instruments, including strings, percussion, and woodwinds. The music draws on a variety of musical traditions, including classical, folk, and world music. The first movement, "Introduction," sets the tone for the piece with a haunting melody played on the viola da gamba. The second movement, "The Betrayal," features a solo voice singing a lament in Hebrew. The third movement, "The Arrest," is a frenzied and chaotic depiction of the arrest of Jesus. The fourth movement, "Pilate's Interrogation," features a solo voice singing in Spanish, accompanied by a mournful cello. The fifth movement, "The Flagellation," is a violent and intense depiction of the whipping of Jesus. The sixth movement, "The Crowning with Thorns," features a solo voice singing in Arabic, accompanied by a Middle Eastern percussion ensemble. The seventh movement, "The Carrying of the Cross," is a mournful and contemplative piece, featuring a solo voice singing in Ladino, a language spoken by Sephardic Jews. The eighth movement, "The Crucifixion," is a powerful and dramatic depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus. The ninth movement, "The Death of Jesus," is a quiet and reflective piece, featuring a solo voice singing in Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus. The tenth movement, "The Entombment," is a somber and mournful piece, featuring a solo voice singing in Greek. The eleventh movement, "The Resurrection," is a joyful and triumphant piece, featuring a solo voice singing in Latin. The twelfth movement, "The Ascension," is a majestic and uplifting piece, featuring a solo voice singing in English. The thirteenth movement, "The Lord's Prayer," is a simple and beautiful setting of the Lord's Prayer, sung in English. The fourteenth movement, "The Betrayal (Reprise)," is a haunting and mournful reprise of the second movement. The final movement, "Postlude," brings the piece to a close with a joyful and celebratory piece, featuring the full ensemble. The Passion according to St. Mark is a powerful and moving work, blending a variety of musical traditions to create a unique and unforgettable musical experience.

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