St Matthew Passion concert provides a poignant start to Holy Week

Norwich Cathedral Choir brought the sublime sound of Bach’s musical masterpiece St Matthew Passion to the Cathedral on the eve of Holy Week.

More than 500 people enjoyed the special concert on Saturday 1 April, which saw the choir perform alongside Norwich Baroque and a cast of soloists.

The concert was part of the Cathedral’s busy programme of services and events which are open to all throughout Holy Week and Easter and include musical meditations, a daily Holy Week reflection by the Dean of Norwich and all the traditional services for this special time of year.

Visitors to the Cathedral can also view a new crucifix that has just been installed in the Cloister as a focus for devotion and prayer and was the gift of an anonymous donor. The wooden figure of Jesus was carved by the Monastic Family of Bethlehem, of the Assumption of the Virgin and of St Bruno, and the cross was created by James Utting, the foreman of the Cathedral’s Works Team.

The Dean of Norwich, the Very Revd Dr Andrew Braddock, said: “At Easter, Christians around the world celebrate Jesus rising from the tomb, his victory over death that opens for us the possibility of life eternal. But we only come to Easter having first come to Jesus on the cross.

“We have had an incredibly moving start to Holy Week, including our choir’s very poignant St Matthew Passion concert, a Palm Sunday procession through the city, and the Chrism Eucharist with clergy from across the Diocese of Norwich.

“We hope many more people will join us for our reflective services and events throughout the rest of Holy Week as we move towards the joy of our Easter services this weekend.”

Holy Week Reflections with the Dean of Norwich will take place at 7pm Eucharists on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, and 1pm on Good Friday.

The Reflections on Tuesday and Wednesday will also link to musical meditations which follow at 8pm. Tuesday’s musical meditation will see the Cathedral’s girl choristers perform Pergolesi’s Stabat Mater and on Wednesday Norwich Cathedral Chamber Choir will perform music for Passiontide by Herbert Howells.

The times for the Cathedral’s Holy Week and Easter services are:

MAUNDY THURSDAY - Thursday 6 April

Eucharist of the Last Supper, 7pm

GOOD FRIDAY - Friday 7 April

At the Foot of the Cross, 11am

Good Friday Meditation, 1pm

Solemn Liturgy, 2pm

HOLY SATURDAY - Saturday 8 April

Easter Vigil and Confirmations, 8pm

EASTER SUNDAY - Sunday 9 April

Festal Eucharist, 10.30am

Festal Evensong, 3.30pm