Bach's St John Passion in Paris

Bach's St John Passion is a towering work of Baroque sacred music, composed in 1724 for Good Friday vespers. The oratorio narrates the Passion of Christ according to the Gospel of John, blending biblical recitative with poetic arias and familiar chorales. Its two-part structure was originally designed to frame a sermon, and the music moves from the garden of Gethsemane to the crucifixion with dramatic intensity.

Listeners will experience an expressive immediacy that distinguishes this work from Bach's later St Matthew Passion. The instrumentation includes strings, basso continuo, flutes, oboes, and rare period instruments like the viola d'amore and viola da gamba, adding unique colors. This Paris performance brings one of Bach's most powerful and revision-rich works to life, offering a profound musical journey.