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Bach's St. John Passion Tickets

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Inside the performance

Sound, stage & company

The live experience

What reaches the room

As a performer, Bach's St. John Passion is a cornerstone of Baroque vocal literature. BWV 245, first performed on 7 April 1724 in Leipzig at the Nikolaikirche (St. Nicholas Church), is Bach's earliest surviving Passion. The work comprises two halves that frame the Gospel narrative from the Gospel of John through recitatives, arias, choruses, and chorales. The Evangelist, a tenor, narrates the story while solo arias and reflective chorales deepen the emotional arc. Below you’ll find a concise biography of this performer, highlights from their discography, and upcoming tour information. We’ve got you covered for reliable, straightforward access to tickets and performances.

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Biography
Bach's St. John Passion traces its roots to Bach’s Leipzig years, where the composer refined the structure of the Passion by pairing stark recitatives with expressive arias and choral interludes. This performer brings a scholarly reverence and stylistic fidelity to the period, grounded in historical performance practice yet accessible to modern audiences. The role of the Evangelist (narrator) and the ensemble’s response through chorales creates a narrative that invites reflection and communal participation. As an act in the broader Bach canon, St. John Passion sits alongside Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and cantata cycles as essential listening for lovers of Baroque sacred music.

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Discography Highlights
Notable recent recordings shaped the modern perception of St. John Passion. Masaaki Suzuki with Bach Collegium Japan (recordings released in 1998, 1999, and a 2020 relaunch) are celebrated for their clean textures and period-accurate articulation. John Eliot Gardiner with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists delivered a landmark suite of recordings beginning in 1986, with later DG releases in 1999/2003 and a 2022 DG reissue that introduced the work to new listeners. These cycles helped establish performance practice references for tempo, phrasing, and vocal coloration that enthusiasts consult when exploring contemporary interpretations.

The live experience

What reaches the room

Upcoming Tour Information
Recent 2025 U.S. engagements included the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall (April 10, 2025), Bach in Baltimore (April 6 & 13, 2025), and a Good Friday presentation at Saint Peter’s Church (April 18, 2025). For current season dates, venues, and ticket availability, check our listings and reserve seats early to secure preferred sections and seating options.

Onstage company

Documented collaborators

Social and Online Resources
Follow the latest news, recordings, and performance schedules from authoritative sources and the conductors/ensembles associated with this repertoire. Official social channels and websites can provide updates, repertoire notes, and ticketing information. Links open in a new tab for convenience and safety: Facebook, X, and official site.

The essentials

Quick Facts About Bach's St. John Passion

  • BWV 245, St. John Passion, is Bach's earliest surviving Passion; first performed 7 April 1724 in Leipzig (St. Nicholas Church).
  • Form: two halves with recitatives, arias, choruses and chorales surrounding the Gospel narrative from John; Evangelist (tenor) narrates, with arias and chorales reflecting on the events.
  • Notable conductors/ensembles who recorded it recently include Masaaki Suzuki with Bach Collegium Japan (1998, 1999, 2020 releases) and John Eliot Gardiner with the Monteverdi Choir/English Baroque Soloists (1986, 1999/2003 DG releases; 2022 DG reissue).
  • Recent 2025 performances in the US featured Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall (April 10, 2025), Bach in Baltimore (April 6 & 13, 2025), and Saint Peter’s Church Good Friday event (April 18, 2025).
  • Major reference sources include Britannica biographies of Bach, and Bach Cantatas/Discography pages documenting historic and modern recordings.

The records

Bach's St. John Passion Discography

  • J.S. Bach: St John Passion BWV 245
    2022 · Deutsche Grammophon (DG) – Gardiner / Monteverdi Choir & English Baroque Soloists
  • J.S. Bach: St John Passion BWV 245
    2020 · BIS – Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki
  • J.S. Bach: St John Passion BWV 245
    1999 · BIS – Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki
  • J.S. Bach: Johannes-Passion BWV 245
    1998 · BIS – Bach Collegium Japan, Masaaki Suzuki (Version IV 1749 + Arias)
  • Johannes-Passion BWV 245
    1986 · Archiv Produktion – John Eliot Gardiner (Monteverdi Choir / English Baroque Soloists)
  • Johannes-Passion BWV 245
    1985 · Deutsche Grammophon – Nikolaus Harnoncourt / Concentus Musicus Wien (Unitel)
  • St John Passion BWV 245
    1986 · Archiv Produktion – John Eliot Gardiner (live/All Saints, Tooting)

Biography
Bach's St. John Passion traces its roots to Bach’s Leipzig years, where the composer refined the structure of the Passion by pairing stark recitatives with expressive arias and choral interludes. This performer brings a scholarly reverence and stylistic fidelity to the period, grounded in historical performance practice yet accessible to modern audiences. The role of the Evangelist (narrator) and the ensemble’s response through chorales creates a narrative that invites reflection and communal participation. As an act in the broader Bach canon, St. John Passion sits alongside Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and cantata cycles as essential listening for lovers of Baroque sacred music.

Discography Highlights
Notable recent recordings shaped the modern perception of St. John Passion. Masaaki Suzuki with Bach Collegium Japan (recordings released in 1998, 1999, and a 2020 relaunch) are celebrated for their clean textures and period-accurate articulation. John Eliot Gardiner with the Monteverdi Choir and English Baroque Soloists delivered a landmark suite of recordings beginning in 1986, with later DG releases in 1999/2003 and a 2022 DG reissue that introduced the work to new listeners. These cycles helped establish performance practice references for tempo, phrasing, and vocal coloration that enthusiasts consult when exploring contemporary interpretations.

Upcoming Tour Information
Recent 2025 U.S. engagements included the Orchestra of St. Luke’s at Carnegie Hall (April 10, 2025), Bach in Baltimore (April 6 & 13, 2025), and a Good Friday presentation at Saint Peter’s Church (April 18, 2025). For current season dates, venues, and ticket availability, check our listings and reserve seats early to secure preferred sections and seating options.

Social and Online Resources
Follow the latest news, recordings, and performance schedules from authoritative sources and the conductors/ensembles associated with this repertoire. Official social channels and websites can provide updates, repertoire notes, and ticketing information. Links open in a new tab for convenience and safety: Facebook, X, and official site.

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