(Bach)
Conducted by Dr. E.C. Bairstow
Relayed from York Minster

Procession into the Minster, reciting of the Creed, Lord's Prayer and Lesser Litany

The St. Matthew Passion
Part I
Bach has put into his musical setting of the Passion of Jesus a wealth of poignant meaning, and yet he treats the story so simply that there is nothing any listener cannot understand - nothing of which he cannot at once feel the power and the truth.

The Composer aims at making every hearer a participant in the events his music depicts.

The narrative is unfolded in solos and choruses.

Every now and again are interpolated 'Chorales' - verses of Lutheran hymns, commenting on the story, and these are intended to represent the emotions and reflections of us listeners as we picture ourselves among the crowds looking on at the events described.

The protagonists of the drama are: the Evangelist (Tenor), who gives the connecting narrative; and Jesus (whose words are sung by a Bass).
The voice of Peter is also heard, in a few Sentences.
There are solo portions, commenting on the story sung by a Soprano, an Alto, a Tenor, and a Bass.

The First Part of the work tells how the chief priests and the scribes conspired to seize Jesus, while He went about doing good. We follow the treachery of Judas at the Passover, Peter's sturdy insistence on his unshakable loyalty, and our Lord's agony in Gethsemane.
This Part of the work (all we are to hear from London on the present occasion) closes with the taking of Jesus by His enemies.

The Second Part is being broadcast from Daventry at 4.20.