Dun, Tan – “Water Passion After Saint Matthew” – [Sony Classical]

humana   2/24/2012   A Library, CD

The composer of the music for Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon here directs a performance in Stuttgart of this work commissioned for the 250th anniversary of Bach’s death. Stunning, spare settings featuring a “Water-Instruments-Orchestra” as well as soloists, choir, violin, cello, electronic sampler make this a worthy alternative to Jesus Christ Superstar. Water is more than just a theme here–it is the life-force of the entire production, forming the essential ingredient in the percussion instruments (among them 17 water bowls underlit and forming a cross). Dun proves that you don’t need to grow up Christian to render the passion inherent in Jesus’ story as told by Matthew.