Bach’s St. John Passion is one of the most moving of all the musical settings of the Passion of Christ. First performed on Good Friday 1723 in the Thomaskirche in Leipzig, this majestic oratorio would undergo several major transformations before being cast in the final form we know today. In this fourth and final version, undertaken in the last years before his death, Bach revoked many of his previous changes, restored the original sequence of movements and scored them for a larger performing ensemble.

In its solos and choruses, the St. John Passion follows the biblical text that relates the events leading to Christ’s crucifixion, His death and resurrection. Contemplative reflections in freely composed verse and highly expressive chorales intersperse the narrative to comment poignantly and powerfully on events as they unfold. This choral masterpiece, one of the most frequently performed of all religious choral works, is reprinted here from the authoritative Bach-Gesellschaft Edition published by Breitkopf & Hartel of Leipzig

Unabridged Dover (1993) republication of the edition published by Breitkopf & Hartel, Leipzig, 1863. Lists of instruments and voices. Appendix. 160pp. 9 x 12. Paperbound.

Free Complete Dover Music Catalog available upon request.

ISBN 0-486-27755—0