St. Matthew Passion

Scoring: Soli, Coro SATB/SATB, Soprano in ripieno, 2 Fl / Blfl, 2 Ob / Obda / Obca, Fg, 2 Vl, Va, Vdg (Vc), Bc

As well as soloists and double choir, Bach’s “great Passion” calls for two complete orchestras. That posed problems even for Bach: he could only perform this Passion in Leipzig St Thomas Church – there simply was not enough space in St Nikolai! The same applies today to many choirs, quite apart from the financial expense of the double orchestra.

In this arrangement, Dominique Sourisse combines the two orchestras, and has endeavored to retain the double-choir effect with individual solutions without ever resorting to the formulaic. With the alternative solutions offered in some movements, it is possible to perform the work with just single strings.

All the vocal parts (soloists and chorus) are unaltered in the arrangement, so that the vocal scores and choral scores from the original version can be used.

Original Version
Soli, Coro SATB/SATB, Soprano in ripieno (Cantus-firmus-Chor für Sopran), 2 Orchester: I: 2 Blfl, 2 Fl, 2 Ob/2 Obda, 2 Obca, 2 Vl, Va, Vc/Cb, Vga, Org obl.; II: 2 Fl, 2 Ob /2 Obda, 2 Vl, Va, Vg, Vc/Cb, Org obl

Arrangement for one orchestra
Soli, Coro SATB/SATB, Soprano in ripieno, 2 Bfl, 2 Fl, 2 Ob / Obda / Obca, Fg, 2 Vl, Va, Vdg, Org