Matthäus-Passion at Grote Kerk Naarden

The St Matthew Passion is unprecedentedly popular, with hundreds of thousands of visitors in The Netherlands every year. The St Matthew Passion by the Netherlands Bach Society in Grote Kerk Naarden, a tradition of almost a hundred years, is considered the Mother of all St Matthew performances. Members of the cabinet, BN'ers and other prominent guests have attended these performances for decades.

At this time of year, Bach's unsurpassed St Matthew Passion is heard in many places: the suffering and death of Jesus, based on the account of his disciple Matthew set to music. A composition that speaks to the heart time and again, from the overwhelming beginning to the resigned final chorus.

This time Johanna Soller is on the staff of the Nederlandse Bachvereniging. She sees Bach's masterpiece not only as a historical narrative. "The chorales and arias offer resting points in the story that keeps moving forward," says the talented German conductor. "And they are in a way also separate from the Biblical passion story, they speak to us and are very relevant and topical. The content is penetrating and personal and with that I hope to touch everyone."

There are many important musicians who regard Bach's magnum opus as an undisputed highlight. For several years, Masato Suzuki has led the Bach Collegium Japan. As a conductor, harpsichordist, organist and composer, he is even more versatile than his father Masaaki, also associated with the world-famous ensemble. Reason enough to invite Masato to conduct the annual performances of the St Matthew Passion.