Title: Johann Sebastian Bach: Johannes-Passion (St. John Passion) for Soloists, Choir and Orchestra, BWV 245
Released: 2014
Genre: Classical, Oratorio
Directed by: Peter Sellars; Daniel Finkernagel, Alexander Lück
Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle
Artist: Mark Padmore (tenor) - Evangelist, Christian Gerhaher (baritone) - Pilatus, Petrus, Camilla Tilling (soprano), Magdalena Kožená (mezzo), Topi Lehtipuu (tenor arias), Roderick Williams (baritone) - Jesus, Rundfunkchor Berlin ( solos from Isabelle Voßkühler and Holger Marks), Berliner Philharmoniker

Description:

Johann Sebastian Bach's St John Passion with the Berliner Philharmoniker and Sir Simon Rattle was one of the outstanding events of the past season.

As before with the St Matthew Passion, star director Peter Sellars succeeded in creating a staging which made the spiritual and dramatic content of the Passion story even more intensive. The New York Times also praised the "brilliant and energetic" playing of the orchestra, the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung the "haunting, almost unsurpassable singing of all those involved."

The top-class ensemble of singers was led by Mark Padmore, one of the leading Evangelist interpreters of our day.

The edition features both a DVD and a Blu-ray version, making it playable on all popular video players. Added to this, it is exclusively presented with a linen hardcover, a comprehensive booklet and numerous photos. The extensive bonus material includes an interview with Simon Rattle and Peter Sellars, an introduction to the work by chorus master Simon Halsey and a voucher for the Berliner Philharmoniker's Digital Concert Hall.

Live recording from the Berlin Philharmonie, February / March 2014

'The follow-up [to the St. Matthew Passion], Mr. Sellars's "St. John Passion, "has been eagerly anticipated. Granted a luxurious amount of rehearsal and a nearly intact cast from the "Matthew" performances ... the simmering performance lives up to the high expectations. ... The Philharmonic was lucky to have once more the tenor Mark Padmore, one of the great Evangelists of our time, and superb here. ' --The New York Times

'Sellars is an intrinsically' musical 'director ... Williams's Christ all but steals the show - even alongside tenor Mark Padmore whose Evangelist fearlessly interrogates as well as interprets the narrative ... this St John Passion has a thought a thought-provoking and unsettling authenticity that can be overwhelming. ' --BBC Music Magazine

Tracklist
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750)
Johannes-Passion (St. John Passion) for soloists, choir and orchestra, BWV 245

Issued: United States | Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings
Duration: 2:15:20