A melding of Classical, Salsa, Batá drumming, Flamenco & Gregorian Chant (among other genres) combine to bring Osvaldo Golijov's "Passion" to Life!

GENRE: Classical/Orchestral/Salsa/Folk

COMPOSER: Osvaldo Golijov

For more than a decade, the musicians who helped the composer bring it to life (known as the Orquesta La Pasión and the choir the Schola Cantorum de Venezuela) toured the world presenting this masterpiece of 34 scenes. Like other works by Golijov, it became intertwined with the performers to the point that it appeared it was impossible to be presented by anyone else. By 2015, performances were few and far between. A masterpiece languished.

A Vision for Revival

The idea began with a simple conversation. As the Gateway Chamber Orchestra prepared for its post-pandemic return to live performance, Artistic Director Gregory Wolynec proposed tackling Golijov's monumental work. 'I wanted to try our hand at this piece to answer questions that it seemed to pose,' Wolynec explained. 'Why can't musicians learn new styles, languages, aesthetics? How can a masterpiece only have one point of view?'

Bringing La Pasión to life required assembling an extraordinary group of performers. Penelope Shumate joined as the classical soprano, while Reynaldo González Fernández, who had originated an almost entirely improvised role, was persuaded to reprise his part. Venezuelan-born Luisana Rivas stepped into the role of Brazilian Alto, bringing her unique voice and energy to the production. Capoeira dancer Paciencia was discovered in a Tennessee dance studio.

Orchestral demands of La Pasión presented their own challenges. The score called for a mix of conventional strings and an eclectic array of instruments, including accordion, guitars, and a staggering 40-piece collection of percussion instruments.

This is not just a tribute to Golijov's genius but a testament to the power of collaboration, cultural exchange, and the enduring relevance of classical music in the 21st century. La Pasión is more than a masterpiece-it is a movement, a bridge between worlds, and a beacon of what the future of music can be.

Track Listing

Disc 1:

• Visión: Baptismo en la Cruz [Vision: Baptism on the Cross]
• El Pescador Pescado [Dance of the Ensnared Fisherman]
• Primer Anuncio [First Announcement]
• Segundo Anuncio [Second Announcement]
• Tercer Anuncio: En Fiesta No [Third Announcement: Not on the Feast Day
• Dos Días [Two Days]
• Unción en Betania [Anointment in Bethany]
• ¿Por Qué? [Why?]
• Oración Lucumí: Aria con Grillos [Lucumí Prayer: Aria with Crickets] 16:48
• El Primer Día [The First Day]
• Judas y El Cordero Pascual [Judas and the Pascal Lamb]
• Judas y El Cordero Pascual [Judas and the Pascal Lamb] (cont'd)
• Quisiera yo Renegar (Aria de Judas) [I Forswear This World (Judas’ Aria)]
• Eucaristiá [The Eucharist]
• Demos Gracias al Señor [We Give Thanks Unto Our Lord]
• Al Monte de los Olivos [To the Mount of Olives]
• Cara a Cara [Face to Face]
• En Getsemaní [In Gethsemane]
• Agonía (Aria de Jesús) [Agony (Jesus’ aria)]

Disc 2:

• Arresto [Arrest]
• Danza Sábana Blanca [Dance with White Sheet]
• Ante Caifás [Before Caiphas]
• Soy Yo: Confesión [I Am: Confession]
• Escarnio y Negación [Scorn and Denial]
• Desgarro de la Túnica [Rending of the Robe]
• Lúa Descolorida (Aria de las lágrimas de Pedro) [Colorless Moon (Aria of Peter’s Tears)]
• Amanecer: Ante Pilato [Dawn: Before Pilate]
• Silencio [Silence]
• Sentencia [Sentence]
• Comparsa Al Gólgota [Parade to the Golgotha]
• Danza de la Sábana Púrpura [Dance of the Holy Purple Robes]
• Crucifixión [Crucifixion]
• Muerte [Death]
• Kadish [Kaddish]

Additional Details

Label: Summit Records

Genre: Classical

Run Time: 120:07 mins

Region: 0

Release Date: 04/11/25

UPC: 099402837925