While the majority of churches throughout Ottawa are planning a standard sermon for their Easter service, Christ Church Cathedral is offering something different.
To commemorate Good Friday, the Anglican Cathedral in Centretown is presenting Johann Sebastian Bach’s Johannes-Passion on April 3.
Beginning with “the Last Supper,” the oratorio tells the story of Jesus Christ’s last day on earth before his crucifixion on a cross by the Roman prefect Pontius Pilate.
The performance involves the Ottawa Music Company orchestra, a chorus and three main soloists portraying the various roles of the story. The chorus will consist of the cathedral’s men, boys’ and girls’ choirs – 18, 22 and 14 voices respectively –singing together.
Having to hire an orchestra makes Johannes-Passion a momentous task to perform, says musical director Matthew Larkin.
That’s why the cathedral can’t afford to stage the oratorio every year, he says, and this is only the third time it has been performed during his 11-year tenure.
Johannes-Passion is able to be both a work of high art and incredibly meaningful to Christian listeners, says Gary Dahl, who portrays Jesus Christ.
“It’s a work that’s both challenging musically, for anyone who undertakes it,” says Dahl. “It also is a work of profound spiritual significance to the church.”
The dramatic nature of the performance speaks for itself, Larkin says.
This is an important lesson to learn in our times because people have a tendency to act out aggressively against anyone who doesn’t like them, Dahl says.
Although Christ Church Cathedral will be hosting traditional services the rest of Easter Weekend, a musical performance can have a more powerful impact on audiences, Larkin says.
“Music takes what, let’s face it, to some people could be a pretty dry subject, and pumps some blood into it, makes it come alive.”
Despite Johannes-Passion being performed in its original German, Larkin says music is able to transcend language, allowing anyone to relate to it.
“It’s music that takes those words and takes them into a listener’s soul.”