J.S. Bach – St. John Passion | Cleobury, King’s College Choir, Brandenburg Consort (2CD, UNITED CLASSICS)

• UPC: 8713545220889 
• MPN: T2CD2012088 
• Brand Name: UNITED CLASSICS

Overview

This 2-CD set presents Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion, a profoundly moving sacred masterpiece that dramatizes the Gospel of John’s account of the Passion of Christ. The performance features the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge with the Brandenburg Consort (leader: Roy Goodman), conducted by Stephen Cleobury.

The recording brings together an outstanding roster of soloists, including John Mark Ainsley as Evangelist, Stephen Richardson as Christus, Catherine Bott (soprano), Michael Chance (alto), Paul Agnew (tenor), and Stephen Varcoe (bass/Pilatus). With its expressive arias, powerful choruses, and dramatic recitatives, this interpretation highlights both the intimacy and intensity of Bach’s Passion narrative.

Product Features

• Format: 2 × CD, Box Set
• Work: J.S. Bach – St. John Passion BWV 245

• Performers:

  Conductor: Stephen Cleobury
  • Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
  • Brandenburg Consort (leader: Roy Goodman)

• Soloists:

  Country of Manufacture: EU
  • John Mark Ainsley – Evangelist
  • Stephen Richardson – Christus
  • Catherine Bott – Soprano
  • Michael Chance – Alto
  • Paul Agnew – Tenor
  • Stephen Varcoe – Bass / Pilatus
• Label: United Classics / Columns Classics

Interesting Facts

• Bach’s St. John Passion premiered in Leipzig on Good Friday, 1724—his first Passion setting as Thomaskantor.
• More dramatic and compact than the St. Matthew Passion, the work emphasizes the intensity of Christ’s suffering with vivid choruses and expressive instrumental writing.
• The role of the Evangelist (John Mark Ainsley here) is central, narrating the biblical text with emotional immediacy.
• The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, under Stephen Cleobury, brings the clarity and precision of the English choral tradition to this monumental work.
• Michael Chance and Catherine Bott, both leading specialists in Baroque vocal performance, lend exceptional artistry to the arias.

Publishers

• Label: United Classics / Columns Classics
• © 2013 T2 International BV
• PInternational LC 29413
• Manufactured & printed in the EU

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