Choralpassion nach den vier Evangelien Op.7

Distler Choralpassion nach den vier Evangelien Op.7

The “Choral Passion”, composed in 1932, is one of the composer's most oustanding works and a striking Passion composition of the 20th century.  It unites the profound theological significance of the Passion story with a musical language that combines both traditional and modern forms of expression.

This work was composed at a time of political and social upheaval, which also had an influence on Distler's music.  Working under National Socialist rule, he felt a strong need to address religious and spiritual themes in his music and to maintain a clear distance from the political tendencies of his time.

With the “Choral Passion” for five-part mixed choir and two cantors Distler gave musical expression to the biblical suffering and Passion of Jesus Christ.  The work is divided into seven parts and is based on well-known chorales from Protestant church music.  These chorales are used both in their traditional as well as an altered form, giving the work a deeper emotional and symbolic dimension.

- for Tenor solo, Bass solo, Mixed choir: SSATB