Passion: Captive

Composer: Doug de Vries
Project: Passion
Download: Captive

"Passion is a kind of a homage to JS Bach's Passion according to St Matthew as much as anything else, and it's an opportunity to explore - as the Art Orchestra, and an orchestra which combines improvisers and people who play compositions - the work of quite a different time, and bring contemporary perspectives to bear on that." Paul Grabowsky, AAO Founder and Artistic Director

Doug de Vries' Captive establishes a processional figure, over which is compounded the pervading sense of loss, resignation and agitation. The interjections of the chorus in No. 33 of the original ("So ist mein Jesus") such as "Loose Him!" and "Bind Him not!", are punctuations provided by the orchestra at various times throughout the procession. Captive concludes with a unison sigh from the orchestra.

The AAO has been invited by the Festival de Mexico to present Passion: Adaptations of the JS Bach’s St Matthew Passion with guest artists Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach in April 2005.

Passion was first premiered by the Australian Art Orchestra in 1996. A CD is available on ABC Classics and can also be purchased via this website.