“Meditations on the Passion” is now available on CD in a new studio recording
In the 1970s I was engaged as artist-in-residence by the Church of St. Andrew (Episcopal) in Marblehead, Massachusetts. I first created a humorous cantata, “Star in the West,” celebrating the feast of the Epiphany. The Epiphany story didn't involve saints or heroics: just a star, a few astrologers, and—like much of the Hebrew and Christian scriptures—lots of folks who didn't have a clue. A folk songwriter can work with that.
Encouraged by the success of that cantata, I embarked on a more ambitious project: a Good Friday cantata with dramatic readings. Unlike the Epiphany cantata, “Meditations on the Passion” has many solos. Friends and colleagues from throughout the folk community responded and agreed to work for small honoraria, and the church generously provided not only funds but choristers and choir directors. Through the support and goodwill of these friends and colleagues and the surrounding community, the cantata grew into a resource for the spiritual life of St. Andrew’s and for many outside it. It also became a yearly reunion for a rotating repertoire company of performers, some of whom have returned each year. Folksingers, singer-songwriters, clergy, and musical academics are among that company, which was joined a few years ago by drummer and British folk-rock pioneer Dave Mattacks, who subsequently agreed to produce this recording.
The story of the Passion is one of the central stories of Christian scripture, but it is at its core a human story meant for humans. There are no Christians in it; they hadn't been invented yet. Only humans, gradually discovering the truth about themselves, enduring that discovery, and encountering a totally surprising love that seemed to transcend and transform their lives against all odds.
That love has made itself known to many people in many traditions, and certainly in my own life. Friends of many traditions, and of none, have taken part in the cantata and heard it. It’s a human story of oppression, betrayal, and the power of love—and there are humans like me who have lived through half the 20th century and seen enough there to know the veracity of the story.
Dave Mattacks produced the recording under Covid 19 conditions with an amazing group of performers and technicians. Soloists include Claudia Schmidt, Reggie Harris as Jesus, Doug Johnson (who has taken the role of Judas since 1980), Buffie Groves, Geoff Bartley, Martin Grosswendt, Howie Bursen as Peter, Chuck Hall as Pilate, Larry Young, Kate Katzberg, Sally Rogers, Kim Wallach and Kate Seeger. The band includes Martin (electric guitar), Dave (drums keyboards and percussion), saxophonist and flautist Paul Combs, bassist Joshua Levin-Epstein, and recording engineer Mike Barry on acoustic guitar. Special guest musicians include Paul Ahlstrand, Duke Levine, and Simon Nicol.
The performance on April 15 this year will take place at the Church of St. Andrew, 135 Lafayette St. in Marblehead, MA at 8:pm. John McAuliffe will take the role of Jesus. Many of the recording’s participants will take roles they have taken or heard for many years. Streaming will be available on the church’s Facebook page. As always, donations will be encouraged and accepted to to relieve some of the church’s financial burden of this gift.