h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Bach is a genius. We all know that, but sometimes it's easy to forget until you are presented with part of that genius on a plate. I got presented with it on Sunday - we performed the St Matthew Passion, a three-hour Baroque musical on the last few days of Christ.

As the chorus we had our moments of glory, including some unaccompanied chorales where the choir suddenly seemed to get what our conductor had been banging on about for weeks. There was shape, there was beauty and there was a real sense of passion behind the words, everything that they should have been.

The soloists that had been hired were outstanding. They, again, seemed to get it, including the Evangelist who delivers line after fast-spoken line of dialogue in recitatives.

Apart from one solo that seemed to go on for a week and a half, there wasn't a moment I would have wanted to cut. Genius, utter genius. The alto solo that was accompanied only by a flute and a pair of cor anglais was sheer perfection distilled into music.

But deities, three hours is a long time to sit and concentrate. Especially on a pew. And especially when you had had three hours of rehearsals that afternoon and another four the previous day.

(and a night out in between)

Sounds good! Glad you enjoyed!

It was good. It was one of the best musical experiences I've had for a long time. May there be more!

Bach = woohoo