West Side Story composer, Leonard Bernstein, described it as “the greatest single work in Western music”. But what makes Bach’s St Matthew Passion so remarkable? In the second of our 150th anniversary episodes, David Hill and The Bach Choir take you through this powerful story of love, betrayal, anger and forgiveness. 

We also hear from acclaimed choreographer, Kim Brandstrup, about Breaking Bach – his irresistible collaboration with the Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment featuring young hip hop dancers’ joyful interpretation of Bach’s music.  Plus we've got a special birthday message from Eurovision superstar, Sam Ryder.

Find the video edition of this episode - including footage from Breaking Bach – here https://youtu.be/fgB74cpmIkA

If you’d like to come to The Bach Choir’s next performance of the St Matthew Passion you can find details here - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/whats-on/ 

Discover more about Breaking Bach here - https://oae.co.uk/introducing-breaking-bach/

The version of the aria Erbarme Dich Mein Gott in this episode is from the 2019 recording of the St Matthew Passion by The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, and the Academy of Ancient Music conducted by Sir Stephen Cleobury and featuring alto David Allsopp. Find it here https://kingscollegechoir.com/recording/bach-matthew-passion/

To hear more from David Hill and The Bach Choir, sign up to our newsletter.. Every month we send out performance videos, musical analysis, exclusive offers and details of The Bach Choir’s live concert dates. We’re currently giving away a free concert video of Rachmaninoff’s Vespers to new subscribers - sign up here to watch it now - https://thebachchoir.org.uk/thanks-for-listening-signup/

Change Your Tune is a Podcart production - https://www.podcart.co.uk/. The Series Producer is Jayne Morgan.

The videographer is Joe Garvey.

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