St John Passion

Andrew Arthur returns to St Nicholas Church, Arundel, with The Hanover Band, The Hanover Band Chorus and internationally renowned soloists for Bach's St John Passion.

Written during Johann Sebastian Bach's first year as Director of church music in Leipzig, it was first performed on 7 April 1724 at Good Friday Vespers at the St Nicholas Church, Leipzig. The St John is the earliest of the surviving Passions by JS Bach.

Telling the story of the Passion, the final days of Jesus’s life, is a tradition that dates back to the fourth century. This originally took the form of a liturgical chant, but during the sixteenth century, music and theology became tightly bound, and from this time, the Passion began to be sung and performed in different ways. JS Bach's St John Passion is a wonderful way to reflect on Good Friday and the approach of Easter Day.

The St John Passion was intended for the Vesper service on Good Friday of 1724, shortly after Bach's 39th birthday. It was originally planned to be held at St Thomas in Leipzig, but due to a last-minute change by the music council, it was to be first performed at St Nicholas. Bach quickly agreed to the move but pointed out that the booklet was already printed, that there was no room available and that the harpsichord needed some repair, all of which, however, could be attended to at little cost; but he requested that a little additional room be provided in the choir loft of St Nicholas Church, where he planned to place the musicians needed to perform the music. He also asked that the harpsichord be repaired.

Performers:
Philippa Hyde soprano
Tim Morgan alto
Bradley Smith tenor
Simon Wall Evangelist
Alex Ashworth Christus
Ed Price Pilate
The Hanover Band Chorus
The Hanover Band
Andrew Arthur director, organ