The piece is suitable for competent amateurs across all the vocal and instrumental lines, and the choir need not be big. The orchestra of ten requires neither an organ nor a piano, so the work can be performed anywhere you can find a harpist. The accompaniment is also designed to accommodate a small choir; the band rarely play tutti.
The story is told by the Narrator, and the other speaking characters are simply members of the choir. The narrative is broken up very regularly with songs which reflect what is going on. Some of these are emotional responses to the story, others put an Old Testament perspective on proceedings. And the whole story is put in that Old Testament context by two sections of the prophet Isaiah with which it begins and ends: the sections known as Servant Song 1 (Isaiah 42: 1-8) and Servant Song 4 (Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12).
The First Performance
On 16th November 2024, an ad-hoc choir together with an orchestra of professional musicians premiered the St Luke Passion at Chalmers Church, Edinburgh.
Narrator: David Laing
The choir: Abigail Hodson, Alice Paine, Hannah Knox, Mairi Wallace,
Wendy Don, Claire Percival, Marilyn Burton, Rachel Lacourtablaise,
Alan Robertson, Dan MacKay, James Hodson, Neil Macdonald,
Eric Robertson, Jonathan Wright, Peter Emerson, Raphael Gould, Robert Fitch.
The Orchestra : Robert Dick, Sheena Jardine (Violins), Judith Buttars (Viola), Sam Coe (Cello), Margaret Graham (Double Bass), Allison Orr (Flute), Nicky Long (Clarinet), Sophie Askew (Harp), James
Goodenough (French Horn), Nicola Kendall (Percussion).
Review of the first performance
"Most of the performers were amateurs, so this is not a standard EMR review, but is rather about the fascinating work that Nigel Don has produced in his version of the story of Jesus’ arrest, trial and crucifixion, as portrayed by the evangelist, Luke."
"Nigel Don’s music is not hard to sing but has a splendid simplicity and directness which is very appealing."
"The instrumentation of the Luke Passion was cleverly conceived and very well played."
Brian Bannatyne Scott reviewing the Premiere performance for the Edinburgh Music Review (EMR), November 2024
For the full review go to https://www.edinburghmusicreview.com/reviews/4x06t6g94j3uiayhqh6kp5kicfc263