JS Bach
Johannes-Passion (St John Passion), BWV 245

Evangelist: Stefan Kennedy
Christ: Humphrey Thompson
Pilate: George Robarts
Soprano: Aileen Thomson
Alto: Alexander Chance
Baritone: Peter Norris

One of Bach’s best loved works, the St John Passion was first performed on Good Friday of 1724 in the St. Nicholas Church, Leipzig. ‘More daring, forceful and poetic’ than the St Matthew Passion, according to Schumann, this operatic work is presented by an ensemble of soloists, four-part choir, strings and basso continuo together with pairs of flauti traversi and oboes doubling on oboe da caccia. Bach also uses viola d’amore and viola da gamba to create special colours within the instrumental mix.

The narrative is led by the Evangelist with an impressive line-up including Jesus, Pilate, Peter, a maid and a servant.