This extended film night is a concert performance by the Netherlands Bach Society, which just celebrated 100 years in 2021. As part of their centennial celebration, they set a goal to record “All of Bach” and make performances available on YouTube without charge. Their St. Matthew Passion is riveting, including thoughtful camera work, for those who wish to watch and listen.

The concert will be shown on two consecutive nights. Part I (1 1/4 hours) treats the events through the Lord’s Supper, the Betrayal and Arrest, and will be shown Maundy Thursday, April 6. Afterward, we will show a short subject (15 minutes) of performers expressing the meaning of this music for themselves. Friday, April 7 will complete the final 1 1/2+ hours. Each night there will time available for reflection and discussion.

Robert Franenberg, the ensemble’s permanent double bassist of the ensemble, admits in the short subject that this drama treats subject matters not part of his belief system, as he is Jewish. Nonetheless, he is carried by the drama of the human condition as it unfolds throughout the piece.

There is no closed captioning, but there are translations available for printing, notably one available through Minnesota Public Radio