Freiburg Baroque Orchestra: St. John Passion

Johann Sebastian Bach: St. John Passion BWV 245

Raphael Höhn, Evangelist
Vox Luminis
Freiburger, Baroque Orchestra
Lionel Meunier, conductor

The composer Hans Werner Henze's verdict on Johann Sebastian Bach's "St. John Passion":
"This music expresses things that until then no one had dared, no one had been able or even attempted to express in sound." John Eliot Gardiner also attests to the "unrivaled imagery" of the Passion's opening chorus. It is precisely this imagery, coupled with highly complex compositional artistry, that makes Bach's Passions so unique. Although the "St. John Passion", which was criticized by Bach's contemporaries as being too "operatic", was always overshadowed by the St. Matthew Passion, it can certainly stand up to direct comparison.
However, a comparison of the two works only makes limited sense. While the "St. Matthew Passion" is considered contemplative, the "St. John Passion" is described as dramatic. This is primarily due to the different accounts of the Passion by the two evangelists. Due to the textual template, the Passion according to St. John is not only shorter, but also more pointed, sometimes even more aggressive.
However, all comparisons are superfluous if you devote yourself entirely to the fantastic music, for which the Belgian vocal ensemble Vox Luminis, with whom we are already performing Bach's "Mass in B minor" in October, is the ideal music-making partner. The ensemble members' clear voices, flawless intonation and precise pronunciation harmonize perfectly with Bach's works.

A free introductory lecture will take place at 5.15 pm in the Rolf Böhme Hall.