Cäcilien-Verein Frankfurt e.V.

Hardly any other work occupied Johann Sebastian Bach over such a long period of time as the Passion according to St. John the Evangelist. There is evidence of at least four performances during his lifetime between 1724 and 1749 - each time in a different form, sometimes with far-reaching changes in the structure of the piece as well as in detail. The composer worked tirelessly on his opus, adding movements, discarding them, revising the instrumentation and voice leading, sharpening the character and dramaturgy. Intensive examination of the text and the theology of the Passion, indeed a struggle for the musical form. Unlike the St. Matthew Passion, there is no last-hand version. But with the St. John Passion we have a cleverly constructed, finely balanced oratorio of the highest musical-theatrical intensity, which offers material for an opera: a gripping description of the Passion events by the Evangelist, rousing choruses full of harsh dissonances and drama, expressive and intimate solo arias that invite us to reflect on what we have experienced. The deeply felt chorales always resonate with the voice of the congregation of the time, which touches us today - musicians and listeners alike - time and time again.

Neue Hofcapelle Frankfurt and the Cäcilienchor under the direction of Christian Rohrbach.
Soloists:
Annemarie Pfahler, soprano
Jonathan Mayenschein, alto
Julian Habermann, tenor
Florian Küppers, bass
Hans Christoph Begemann, bass

Photo: Cäcilien-Verein Frankfurt e.V.

22.3., 5 p.m.

Heiliggeistkirche (Dominican monastery), Dominikanergasse 14, Frankfurt

2for1: price category 1 = 42 €, price category 2 = 34 €, price category 3 = 22 € (free choice of seats within the price categories)

22.3., 16-16.30, box office (only cash payment possible)