St. John Focus of Paths of Reconciliation thru July 9

June 19, 2008
Scott Barkhurst, media relations

Each year the Discovery Series explores a major choral-orchestral work in detail, through a series of afternoon lecture-performances. Helmuth Rilling shares with the audience his insights into the work, examining both the music and the text to add greater understanding of these great masterworks. Interspersed with Rilling’s commentary are musical excerpts from the featured work, with conductors from the OBF master class leading the various sessions. The result is one of the most popular and meaningful components of each year’s Festival.

This year Rilling directs an ongoing exploration and performance of Bach’s profound setting of the St. John Passion, BWV 245, illuminating how its structure, symbolism, and musical techniques create a powerful effect. The OBF Chorus and Orchestra will perform the various sections, along with soloists Sibylla Rubens, soprano; Ingeborg Danz, alto; Lothar Odinius, tenor; Michael Nagy and Florian Schmitt-Bohn, bass.

Two more lecture concerts take place July 7 & 9.

Because the texts of the St. John Passion are considered controversial by some, there is an additional opportunity to explore this work through community dialogue: see the Hinkle Seminar on July 9.