Bach, St. John Passion at St. Stephen’s Cathedral

About the Event

Listen to Bach's famous St John Passion in Vienna's St Stephen's Cathedral, performed by a compact ensemble, fitting for Lent. Every period of suffering is followed by a resurrection – we would like to convey this hope and confidence to you.

Lent is always the time for performances of J. S. Bach's world‐famous Passions. When the St John Passion was performed for the first time in Leipzig on Good Friday 1724, the congregation heard a work that was unusual for its time in terms of its scope, quality, sophistication and spiritual depth. Could anyone have guessed that this work by the then newly appointed Thomaskantor would, centuries later, become one of the most important works of world music literature and one of the most frequently performed works of sacred music?

The two‐part work, which follows the usual structure of the Passion narrative, draws heavily on the text of the Passion narrative in the Gospel of John. The text in both parts includes not only the biblical narrative, but also chorales, as well as freely composed choruses and arias. Thus, Bach's oratorio ends with Jesus' last words: ‘It is finished!’

The original sound ensemble Monismo and the Company of Music under Johannes Hiemetsberger will perform the work in St. Stephen's Cathedral. As in Bach's time, the soloists of the Company of Music will step out of the ensemble, blurring the boundaries between choir and soloists – an exciting performance practice from the 18th century. The Company of Music is Vienna's professional vocal soloist ensemble and stands for a unique combination of programmatic creativity, vocal excellence, stylistic openness and musical joy – all in close proximity to its audience.