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Classic 107’s Easter programming offers a profound journey through some of the most spiritually resonant works in the classical repertoire. Each piece, carefully selected for its historical and emotional significance, provides listeners with a deepened understanding of the Passion, death, and resurrection of Christ. Below is an in-depth exploration of each featured work, offering context and insight into their creation and enduring impact.
Good Friday – April 18, 2025
9:00 AM – Bach’s St. Matthew Passion
Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) is a monumental sacred oratorio composed in 1727 for Good Friday services at the Thomaskirche in Leipzig. Setting chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel of Matthew to music, Bach interweaves the biblical narrative with reflective arias and chorales, creating a deeply moving meditation on the Passion of Christ. The work is scored for double choir and double orchestra, enhancing its dramatic and emotional depth.
This performance by the English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir, under the direction of John Eliot Gardiner, is renowned for its clarity and expressive power.
1:00 PM – Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Christ on the Cross
Joseph Haydn’s The Seven Last Words of Our Saviour on the Cross was commissioned in 1786 for the Good Friday service at the Oratorio de la Santa Cueva in Cádiz, Spain. Originally composed as an orchestral work, Haydn later adapted it into a choral oratorio in 1796. The piece comprises seven meditative movements, each reflecting on one of Christ’s final utterances, framed by an introduction and a concluding "Earthquake" movement.
This rendition by the Arnold Schoenberg Choir and Concentus Musicus Wien, conducted by Nikolaus Harnoncourt, captures the solemnity and introspection inherent in the work.
Holy Saturday – April 19, 2025
7:45 AM – Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories for Holy Saturday
Carlo Gesualdo’s Tenebrae Responsories are a collection of sacred madrigals composed in 1611, intended for the Holy Week services of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday. Known for his intensely expressive and chromatic style, Gesualdo's settings delve into themes of betrayal, suffering, and redemption.
The Holy Saturday responsories, performed here by A Sei Voci, are particularly noted for their emotional depth and harmonic daring, reflecting the somber mood of the day.
9:00 AM – Handel’s Messiah, Part II
George Frideric Handel’s Messiah, composed in 1741, is an English-language oratorio that has become a cornerstone of the choral repertoire. Part II of the oratorio focuses on the Passion and Resurrection of Christ, featuring the iconic "Hallelujah" chorus.
This performance by the Tafelmusik Baroque Orchestra and Chamber Choir, under the direction of Ivars Taurins, offers a historically informed interpretation that brings fresh insight into this beloved work.
Easter Sunday – April 20, 2025
7:00 AM – A Venetian Easter Mass
This reconstruction of a 17th-century Venetian Easter Mass, led by Paul McCreesh with the Gabrieli Consort and Players, brings to life the rich musical traditions of Renaissance Venice. Featuring works by composers such as Giovanni Gabrieli and Orlando de Lassus, the performance captures the grandeur and splendor of liturgical celebrations at St. Mark’s Basilica, complete with antiphonal choirs and opulent instrumentation.
8:15 AM – Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang (Symphony No. 2)
Felix Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang, also known as Symphony No. 2, is a symphony-cantata composed in 1840 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the invention of the printing press. Combining orchestral movements with choral settings of biblical texts, the work celebrates the triumph of light over darkness.
This performance by the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig and the Gewandhaus Choir, conducted by Riccardo Chailly, highlights the work's jubilant and uplifting character.
9:00 AM – Bach’s Easter Oratorio
Johann Sebastian Bach’s Easter Oratorio (BWV 249), composed in 1725, narrates the discovery of the empty tomb and the Resurrection of Christ. Originally conceived as a secular cantata, Bach later adapted it for Easter, infusing it with vibrant choruses and expressive arias.
This performance by the English Baroque Soloists and the Monteverdi Choir, under the baton of John Eliot Gardiner, brings to life the joy and exultation of the Easter celebration.
Whether you're observing Easter as a sacred tradition or simply seeking a moment of reflection through music, Classic 107’s weekend programming offers a stirring soundtrack for the season. With timeless masterworks from Bach, Haydn, Handel, and more, each broadcast invites listeners into a world where faith, artistry, and history converge. It’s a celebration of sorrow transformed into joy—an aural journey from the shadows of Good Friday to the radiant promise of Easter morning.