This March, Perth Concert Hall presents an exclusive performance of Bach’s St. John Passion directed by one of Britain’s finest tenors, Mark Padmore.

The story of the trial, crucifixion and death of Jesus as told in the Gospels has inspired composers since the 15th Century; Bach’s setting of St John’s account is among the most dramatic.

Mark Padmore most recently appeared as a tenor soloist in Perth Concert Hall performing Schubert’s masterpiece Winterreise in December 2005. He returns on 27 March 2006 as director and performer, taking the role as The Evangelist. Padmore brings a hand-picked selection of singers and musicians including Roderick Williams (Christus), Iestyn Davies and early music group Concerto Caledonia to the fore. Three students from the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama will also have the opportunity of joining the team to perform alongside them and learn through the experience.

Padmore is the Evangelist of choice for many for the world’s top conductors including Simon Rattle, John Eliot Gardiner, Bernard Haitink and Philippe Herreweghe. His approach differs from theirs in the emphasis he places on the individual responsibility of the performers for the piece.

“I won’t be conducting in this performance but taking on more of a director’s role,” says Mark. “We’ll rehearse for longer and give the performers far more responsibility to listen to each other to ensure we make sense of the whole piece.”

“This will also allow the audience not to focus on the conductor but completely immerse themselves in the music.”

Padmore believes that too many modern performances of Bach’s much loved masterpiece fail to realise its full drama because they do not concentrate strongly enough on the text. He intends to work not only with the singers, but also with the instrumentalists in this performance to encourage them to engage as fully as possible with the text at all times. He tried this approach for the first time in September 2004, when he gave his first acclaimed performances as director in Aldeburgh, London and Bristol.

In Bach’s day, the Passion was performed in two parts with a sermon in the middle. To recreate that, Mark has invited Richard Holloway, one of the most respected thinkers and speakers on issues of ethics and faith to give a short address at the centre of the piece.

Mark continues: “Richard is a fascinating writer and speaker and I feel strongly that he will perform to only the very highest standard.”

Mark is determined to make the St John’s Passion an evening of complete meditation and an opportunity to focus on the full meaning of the piece.

“The Passion is a performance which equates to the likes of seeing Michelangelo’s work, it will be an extraordinary evening,” says Mark.

Bach: St John Passion, Perth Concert Hall, Mon 27 March at 7.30pm.
Tickets £15: £12 concessions. T: 0845 612 6319 or www.horsecross.co.uk