Oxford University Press Choir - 30th anniversary concert

The Oxford University Press Choir, formed in 1985, gives two public performances each year, in May and November. Malcolm Pearce has been the Choir's Musical Director since 2010.

Unlike other major composers of his age J S. Bach did not aspire to the glamour and intrigue of the opera house, instead devoting the great majority of his vocal compositions to the service of the church. His St John Passion, nonetheless, bears all the hallmarks of a musical dramatist of genius. Bach's daring new presentation of familiar events probably bewildered its first congregation on Good Friday in 1724 and most certainly alarmed the Leipzig church authorities, who had specifically warned their new Cantor against too operatic a manner in his work. A modern audience, however, will appreciate Bach's multi-layered vision - St John's 'live on the spot' reportage of the arrest, trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ, punctuated by 'expert comment' on the events by soloists in their Arias, and 'tweeted' reactions of spectators through the Chorale melodies with which Lutheran congregations would have been familiar.

Join us for our 30th anniversary concert when we will perform in English Bach's moving and dramatic account of the Passion story.