Johann Sebastian Bach: Johannespassion

On Good Friday, April 7, 1724, Johann Sebastian Bach's St. John Passion was performed for the first time in the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig. This two-hour work, frequently performed, is considered one of the most impressive musical interpretations of the Passion story of Jesus. Built on a foundation of late Baroque and highly expressive sound worlds, word and tone unite in a fascinating biblical interpretation that continues to captivate today. Meinrad Walter explores Bach's St. John Passion in light of its complex history of creation, the relationship between word and tone, and its spiritual and theological content. The author, grounded in theology and presented in an accessible manner, guides the reader through the individual parts of the work, offering a vivid insight into Bach's musical language on the theme of Passion. For the first time, the lesser-known second version from 1725, which has been available from Carus Verlag for several years, is discussed in detail, revealing an additional layer of interpretation.