American Classical Orchestra: J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion at Alice Tully HallA Night of Transcendence: The American Classical Orchestra Brings Bach’s Masterpiece to LifeThe American Classical Orchestra (ACO) and Chorus performed J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion at Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center, New York City. Under the Direction of Conductor Thomas Crawford, the ensemble provided a sublime, inspirational performance with featured vocal soloists including Tenor Jacob Perry as the Evangelist, Bass Baritone Enrico Lagasca as Jesus, Bass Baritone Andrew Padgett as Pontius Pilate. The many arias of the work featured soloists, including Countertenor Reginald Mobley, Soprano Kristen Hahn, Tenor Alex Guerrero, Baritone Timothy McDevitt, Tenor Gene Stenger, Baritone Edward Vogel, and Soprano Elisse Albian.The Origins of a Sacred MasterpieceJ. S. Bach’s St. John Passion, composed in 1724, was first performed at the St. Nicholas Church in Leipzig. It was the first Passion oratorio Bach composed after assuming his role as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, a position that defined his legacy.Bach based the work on John 18 and 19, the Gospel’s account of Christ’s betrayal, trial, and crucifixion. Unlike his later St. Matthew Passion, which emphasizes Christ’s suffering, the St. John Passion highlights Christ’s divine presence, even amid tribulation. The music is exquisite, turbulent, and deeply symbolic, underscoring the tension between earthly anguish and heavenly redemption. American Classical Orchestra- J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion at Alice Tully Hall._1209 Photo courtesy American Classical Orchestra- J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion at Alice Tully Hall.A Libretto That Resonates Through CenturiesBach seamlessly weaves biblical texts, chorales, and poetic arias to create an emotional and theological dialogue between the narrator, soloists, and chorus. The work features stunning recitatives and arias, showcasing individual expressions of grief, faith, and hope. The opening chorus, Herr, unser Herrscher, is a commanding invocation of Christ’s divine rule, setting a tone of grandeur and urgency.Excitement and AnticipationThe inimitable Maestro Crawford, impresario and cicerone of the musical arts opened the program with insightful, inspirational comments about the St. John Passion. His clever repartee induced excitement and anticipation as he noted the work’s challenging marvelous arias, magnificent solos, and the chorus serving as the heart of the work. Crawford evoked chuckles as he asked the audience not to sing along to the familiar Bach chorales. He noted that the chorus will tell us that “all is well in the world.”Historical AuthenticityAlice Tully Hall was filled with an audience basking in the authentic orchestral sounds provided by the ACO. Listeners luxuriated in the rich sonic intones of transverse flutes, 18th-century oboes and English horn, stringed instruments with gut strings played with restraint and precision, organ continuo, and harpsichord.Segments of the work featuring vocal soloists with a simple accompaniment of bass, cello, winds, and continuo were exquisite, effortlessly transporting listeners to the provenance of J. S. Bach. Jesus Christ in the Tomb supported by the Virgin and St John who are flanked by St Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus holding the instruments of his Passion, H,1.29. by Marcantonio Raimondi, Public domain, via Wikimedia CommonsPrecision and VerveCrawford conducted the ensemble with precision and vitality, invoking rich colors to the performance from the ensemble through his gestures and harpsichord passages. His attention to detail was evident as the concert unfolded. Blending the old with the new, microphones were ubiquitously placed to ensure perfect sonic balances.Virtuosic Melismatic PassagesIt was an evening of world-class artists. The chorus characterized their roles with enthusiasm and dynamism, articulating the afflatus of the Passion with precision, drama, and dignity. Bel canto, lyric tenor Jacob Perry sustained his effulgent, commanding role as the Evangelist through recitative and virtuosic melismatic passages with aplomb. Stentorian Bass Baritone Enrico Lagasco glowed in his vocal power and authority as Jesus. Bass Baritone Andrew Padgett delivered his role as Pontius Pilate with the expected commensurate assurance. Soprano Elisse Albian portrayed her roles with bright, expressive, lyrical precision and crystalline purity. Countertenor Reginald Mobley’s exquisite contributions were delivered with elegance.A Cast of ThousandsAll told, the bevy of soloists and chorus teamed with a superb orchestra was consistently excellent and provided an incredible, exciting, dramatic, and musical range of characters akin to the metaphorical aphorism, “a cast of thousands.” Remarkable indeed. The evening was a mesmerizing, ethereal panoply of sacred sublime artistry and the exquisite contrapuntal dialectics of Bach’s oeuvre. The Aria for Bass and Choir, #24: Eilt ihr angefochtnen Seelen (hurry you tempted souls) was spine-tingling as it raced along, featuring the full virtuosic power of Bass Baritone Andrew Padgett as Pilate, the chorus and orchestra, and their illumination of the blinding radiance of Bach’s genius.The ACO Chorus: The Heart of the PassionThe ACO Chorus was vital in embodying the passion’s emotive power. With exemplary diction, phrasing, and dramatic expressiveness, the ensemble infused Bach’s sacred chorales and rhapsodic outbursts with unrelenting fervor. Whether delivering the raucous cries of the crowd or the devotional purity of the final chorale, their presence remained a guiding force throughout the evening.A Performance to RememberThe American Classical Orchestra’s presentation of Bach’s St. John Passion at Alice Tully Hall was transcendent. The orchestra, chorus, and soloists imbued the evening with grandeur, emotional depth, and divine beauty. Maestro Thomas Crawford’s leadership ensured that every note resonated with historical reverence and artistic passion.For those who attended, the performance was a reminder of why Bach’s sacred works endure—they speak to the soul, the intellect, and the heart. And in the hands of the ACO, the music soared, reaffirming their dedication to bringing Baroque masterworks to life.American Classical Orchestra: J. S. Bach’s St. John Passion at Alice Tully HallAnnouncing!"On Friday, March 28, 2025, the American Classical Orchestra will move to Carnegie Hall to give a landmark performance of the Mendelssohn Octet in Eb Major, Op. 20. This High Octane Octet work was written by Felix Mendelssohn when he was only 16-years old, and was dedicated to his dear friend, violinist Eduard Rietz, for his 23rd birthday. The unique work is scored for four violins, two violas, and two cellos, making it essentially a double string-quartet. This powerful work blurs the lines between chamber music and symphonic compositional techniques, and was actually re-scored for full string orchestra by the conductor Arturo Toscanini in 1947. The ACO brings a fresh look at this well-known masterpiece via historic playing techniques and the warmer sound of gut strings."PO Box 366 New YorkNY 10025-0007Office: (212) 362-2727For tickets and information, go to https://aconyc.org/. 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