Bach's St. Matthew Passion with Gil Harel

Bach’s St. Matthew Passion is perhaps the single largest and most ambitious work the composer created. It is also a work of exceedingly powerful expressivity which has been treasured by music lovers since Felix Mendelssohn's "resurrection" of the work in the late 1820s. A setting of chapter 26 of the Gospel of Matthew, the Passion narrative deals with the events immediately preceding Jesus' arrest and crucifixion on Good Friday.

Join Professor Gil Harel as he takes us inside the score of this towering oratorio, focusing on the convergence of Lutheran pietism and music in the early 18th century. 

About Gil Harel

Gil Harel (PhD, Brandeis University) is a musicologist and composer whose interests include styles ranging from western art music to contemporary musical theater. Previously, he served on the faculty at CUNY Baruch College (where he was awarded the prestigious "Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching").

Currently, he is Full Professor of Music at CT State Naugatuck Valley, where he has been presented with the AFT "Merit Award for Exemplary Service to the College" for 6 consecutive years. In 2020, he was honored with the coveted Connecticut Board of Regents (BOR) Teaching Award. At Naugatuck Valley, Dr. Harel conducts the college chorale, a cappella ensemble, teaches music history and theory, and serves as musical director of theater productions.