The Coffee Hour – J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion

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Dr. Maurice Boyer, professor of music at Concordia University Chicago and director of the American Kantorei, joins Andy and Sarah to talk about J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion, including his own experiences with this piece, the history and text of the piece, several of the theological nuances in the piece, and a few of the high points to listen for.

Find the full text here, for you to follow along as you listen: emmanuelmusic.org/notes_translations/translations_cantata/t_bwv245.htm

 Reference the excepts mentioned in the episode here:

1. Opening chorus: youtube.com/watch?v=XUxyy8NJwkk
2. Chiastic center: youtube.com/watch?v=cgFVVXD5_u8
3. Es ist vollbracht: youtube.com/watch?v=0pHLOU8Zqjk
4. Ach, Herr, lass dein lieb Engelein: youtube.com/watch?v=vSHnf-QKUyY

View the full Passion YouTube from Collegium Vocale Ghent and Philippe Herreweghe, one of the greatest interpreters of Bach’s music. This is the dress rehearsal from a performance that was to have taken place last Spring but was cancelled due to COVID. youtube.com/watch?v=w2LakofZAhw

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The Coffee Hour is underwritten by Concordia University Wisconsin. Live Uncommon. Learn more at cuw.edu.

Have a topic you’d like to hear about on The Coffee Hour? Contact Andy Bates at andrew.bates@kfuo.org or call 314-996-1519.