Bach: Matthäus-Passion (2010)

Sir Simon Rattle was in no doubt: the performance of the St Matthew Passion which he realised together with the Berliner Philharmoniker and the Rundfunkchor Berlin in 2010 was for him "the single most important thing we ever did here". Critics around the world agreed. They praised the outstanding musical interpretation of the soloists, choir and orchestra and the semi-staged production by director Peter Sellars. But although he brings powerful images to the stage, dramatic effects are by no means the focus. "It's not theatre," according to Sellars, "it's a prayer, a meditation." Making this tangible is the real aim of this haunting performance.