Jordi Savall on Bach's St John Passion

·27 min·2 clips

Jordi Savall reveals why he mixes young and experienced musicians to capture Bach's St John Passion with fresh energy.

In this episode of the Gramophone Classical Music Podcast, host Martin Cullingford interviews conductor Jordi Savall about his recent recording of Bach's St John Passion. Savall begins by describing the background of the recording, emphasizing the study of the Lutheran conception and the dramatic elements of the Passion. He highlights his unique method of combining 50% young musicians with 50% experienced professionals to create a dynamic and fresh interpretation. Savall discusses the original liturgical context of the work, performed during Holy Week, and how he aims to move away from a concert atmosphere to capture its spiritual essence. He stresses the primacy of the text, urging singers to focus on phrasing and emotional expression rather than technical perfection. A key moment analyzed is the shift to D major with a string fanfare at Jesus's death, which Savall praises as genius. He also talks about the importance of intuition and spontaneity in performance, learned over 60 years of experience. Savall shares anecdotes from his academies, where he prepares works like this Passion over six days, allowing time for musical discovery. He recounts his early days learning the viola da gamba, practicing Marais's music daily to master it without a teacher. The conversation turns to the recording venue, a Romanesque church in Cardona, chosen for its ideal acoustic that transforms sound organically. Savall explains his microphone technique, using few main microphones for a natural balance, with only minimal support for clarity. The episode includes sponsor messages from Kirke Holidays, promoting cultural tours, and reminders about Gramophone subscriptions. Throughout, Savall reflects on the emotional depth of Bach's music and the collaborative process with musicians.

As heard by us

A countertenor and viola da gamba carry Bach's Passion from mourning toward resurrection.

Bach's St John Passion comes through here as music able to hold mourning and release in the same breath. Geordie Saval focuses on the moment of Jesus's death, where Bach joins countertenor and viola da gamba, an instrument tied to melancholy, song, and deep feeling.

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Why you'd press play

You want to hear how a countertenor, a viola da gamba, and a sudden D major fanfare turn Bach's deepest Passion moment toward life.

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