Following a long tradition, the Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam sings Bach's St Matthew Passion on Good Friday, accompanied by the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra.
Nowhere is Bach's masterpiece about the suffering and death of Christ performed as frequently and attended as faithfully as in the Netherlands. The first performance took place in 1727 in the St. Thomaskirche in Leipzig. The piece, in which major themes such as death, love, and solace are poignantly expressed, fell into oblivion after Bach's passing. Since 1829, the work has experienced a revival. In 1874, the Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam sang its first St Matthew Passion under the direction of Johannes Verhulst. In 1899, Willem Mengelberg conducted the St Matthew Passion for the first time as conductor of the Concertgebouw Orchestra with the Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam. This became an annual tradition that has since been upheld by the Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam, and from 2016 onwards with the Concertgebouw Chamber Orchestra. Also listen to the podcast Leven met de Matthäus (Living with the St Matthew Passion) , which the Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam produced in 2024 when the tradition celebrated its 125th anniversary.
Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam
Founded in 1829, Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam is an ambitious and versatile concert choir. Alongside Bach's St Matthew Passion, the 80 trained amateur singers perform well-known works such as Beethoven's Ninth Symphony and the Requiems by Mozart and Verdi, but the repertoire also includes Stravinsky, Ravel, Egon Kracht, and Tippett. The choir frequently receives invitations from professional orchestras to participate in concerts, for example, Rufus Wainwright's Dream Requiem with the Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra in June 2025. Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam also presents its own production at least once a season and regularly performs commissioned compositions. Boudewijn Jansen has been the choir's conductor since 2003.
Sing along with Toonkunstkoor Amsterdam?
Would you like to sing famous choral repertoire with good orchestras and in the major concert halls of the Netherlands? Do you find it a challenge to sing contemporary music as well? If you have a good voice, choir experience, and are between 18 and 60 years old, you are welcome to come and meet us at a rehearsal. The choir rehearses every Monday evening from 19:30 to 22:00 at the Vrijburgkerk, Diepenbrockstraat 46 in Amsterdam.
Accessibility
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General accessibility provisions and information
Provisions for people with reduced mobility
Provisions for people who are blind or partially sighted
Provisions for people who are deaf or hard of hearing
