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Concordia University Irvine Invites Orange County Community To Experience Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion”

Concordia University Irvine Invites Orange County Community To Experience Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion”

CONTACT:   Sabrina Suarez, Echo Media Group 
   (714) 573-0899 ext. 227
[email protected]
[email protected]

MasterWorks 2014

18th Annual MasterWorks Series Brings Together Outstanding Soloists, Professional Orchestra and Three Collegiate Choirs in Retelling of the Easter Story

WHO: Concordia University Irvine invites local editors, reporters, music enthusiasts and community members to a special performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s remarkable “St. Matthew Passion” as part of its 18th Annual MasterWorks Series.

WHAT: Widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of classical sacred music, Bach’s “St. Matthew Passion” combines orchestra, chorales and arias to tell the passion of Christ. Highlights include:

  • Conductor Dr. Michael Busch will direct The Concordia Choir, Master Chorale, Donne di Canto, and the Masterworks Orchestra in the oratorio, which will be performed in German with English subtitles.
  • Featured soloists include Dr. Christopher M. Cock, director of choral and vocal activities at Valparaiso University, and founder and current director of the Bach Institute. A premier lyric tenor, Cock has traveled the world singing the role of Evangelist.
  • The concert will be in the Concordia University Center, a 500-seat semi-circular auditorium, with exceptional acoustics and sight lines. The center is home to Concordia's magnificent 3,290-pipe Casavant organ which will be used in the performance.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach wrote his “St. Matthew Passion” in 1727 for the Good Friday services at the famed Thomaskirche in Leipzig, and continued to revise and reshape the work throughout of his life. Written for two choirs and two orchestras, and six soloists, this masterwork is arguably Bach’s most monumental musical achievement.
  • Concordia has chosen to perform this work at the start of Holy Week, the time traditionally set aside by the Christian church to focus and reflect on the Easter Story.
“The Passion According to St. Matthew is arguably Bach’s finest achievement,” said Dr. Michael Busch, director of choral activities at Concordia University. “Many authors and scholars consider it to be the most monumental choral work in Western music history and it is easy to see why. The sheer scope of the composition is tremendous. Bach’s music, along with poetry and scripture, explores such deep theological, musical, and psychological dimensions that can’t help but penetrate our souls. These all carry an enormous impact for the Christian believer.”

WHEN: Saturday, April 12 and Sunday, April 13 at 3:00 p.m.

WHERE: Concordia University Center at Concordia University Irvine
1530 Concordia West
Irvine, Calif. 92612

TICKETING: Reserved seating is available for $35 for center orchestra, $25 for loge, and $20 for dress circle and mezzanine seats. Ticket prices for this special event include a catered hors d’oeuvres reception, served during intermission.
Tickets may be purchased online by clicking on the event name at https://www.cui.edu/AcademicPrograms/Undergraduate/Music/Calendar or through the box office at (949) 214-3418 or [email protected].

About Concordia University Irvine

Concordia University Irvine prepares students for their vocations—their calling in life. CUI offers undergraduate, graduate, doctoral, and adult degree programs in a beautiful Southern California location in the City of Irvine, with online and regional cohort options. Concordia’s undergraduate program is distinctive among universities in California because of its nationally recognized Core Curriculum, and its Lutheran heritage that provides a thoughtful and caring Christian community that lives out the theology of "Grace Alone. Faith Alone." Concordia is a U.S. News Top Tier Regional University and has been named by The Chronicle of Higher Education as one of the fastest growing private nonprofit master's institutions. CUI enrolls over 4,000 students.

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