Time is right to sing Bach's masterpiece

As far as Brady Allred knows, next weekend's performances will be the first for J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion at the University of Utah.

"The scores aren't here," Allred told the Deseret Morning News, "and that leads me to believe this will be a first for us."

Allred directs the choral conducting program at the U., and these performances will be his first in Utah as well. Before coming to Salt Lake City, Allred was the artistic director of the Bach Choir of Pittsburgh. During his tenure there, he conducted Bach's three major choral works — the St. John Passion, the St. Matthew Passion and Mass in B minor. "My final concert in Pittsburgh was the St. Matthew Passion," he said.

Allred feels the time is right to do Bach's masterpiece at the U. "We have two really good choirs (the University of Utah Singers and the A Cappella Choir) and some fabulous student soloists."

The work is scored for double chorus and double orchestra. Allred, with help from his graduate assistant, has assembled two pick-up orchestras taken from members of the Utah Philharmonia, the Salt Lake Symphony, faculty and freelance musicians.

The St. Matthew Passion will be sung in English. "There is a tradition to do it in English," Allred said. "The Bach Choir in London has been doing it in English for a hundred years." And since the work was composed for a Lutheran service, it's not historically inaccurate to perform it in the vernacular.

The problem with doing it in English, though, is finding a good translation. "You need a translation that flows and which is as true to Bach as we can get."

Allred said he's making some cuts in the score. "It's a little lengthy for contemporary audiences."

For many of the students in the choirs, this is the first time they're singing the work. "I think the students are excited about it."

Both choirs have a number of non-music majors, and for them this is a new experience. "Some of the singers who aren't music majors say it's hard, because the voice leading is awkward. But with a little extra effort they can overcome those problems. I hope we'll see this effort pay off in the performances."

The choirs have been rehearsing since January. "At the same time we were also rehearsing Mahler's Second (Symphony)," Allred said. "It wasn't until after February that we could focus on the Bach."

At each rehearsal, Allred is overwhelmed by the emotional intensity of the music. "I try to convey that passion Bach puts into the music to the students."

And after some 280 years, the St. Matthew Passion still has an immense effect on listeners. "Several hundred years after its premiere, it's still a very powerful work," Allred said. "I've been in the audience where the baritone aria 'Make Thee Clean From Sin My Heart' can just carry an audience. And that aria comes towards the end, nearly two hours into it. That is emotional power."

If you go

What: St. Matthew Passion; University of Utah Singers and A Cappella Choir; Brady Allred, conductor

Where: Libby Gardner Concert Hall, U.

When: Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.

How much: $7 general, $3 students

Phone: 581-7100

Web: kingsburyhall.org

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E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com