Slovenian Philharmonic to perform Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Passion and Resurrection
On 20 March, the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra will perform Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Eastertide oratorio Passion and Resurrection under the direction of Stephen Layton. The role of Mary Magdalene will be sung by soprano Mojca Bitenc Križaj.
Composed in 2005, Passion and Resurrection is a 30-minute work in four movements for soloist, mixed choir and string orchestra, combining Latin and English texts drawn from Scripture and Catholic and Byzantine liturgies. Writing in The Times, chief music critic Richard Morrison described the piece as notable for 'how direct and literal it is'. Stephen Layton, Principal Conductor of the Slovenian Philharmonic Choir since the 2024/25 season, conducted the UK premiere of the work in 2010 with Polyphony and Britten Sinfonia, later recording it for Hyperion. He returned to the piece in 2023 at Sydney Opera House in performances alongside Bach’s Magnificat in D. The programme, titled From Sorrow to Triumph, also features Christóbal de Morales’ Parce mihi, Domine – quoted in the first movement of Ešenvalds’ oratorio – together with John Tavener’s Song for Athene and Little Requiem for Father Malachy Lynch.
From Sorrow to Triumph: Slovenian Philharmonic Choir and Orchestra directed by Stephen Layton Marjan Kozina Hall, Ljubljana, Slovenia