Search - Johann Sebastian Bach, Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, Thomanerchor Leipzig :: Bach: Johannes-Passion

Johannespassion BWV 245 (Fassung 1739-1749)

David G. Lebut Jr. | Gilbert, AZ USA | 07/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is (along with Karl Richter's recording) the best recording of the fourth version of Bach's monumental Johannespassion. This version (started in 1739 and completed in 1749) was never performed during his (Bach's) lifetime, and Nrs. 10 (measure 43) through 40 exist only in the copyist's score (the other movements exist in autograph manuscript). Bach made considerable changes in instrumentation and in notation in this version over and against the other three versions that were in existance when he set out to make this one. He added a Contrabassoon to the Continuo, along with a Harpsichord part. He included all instruments in Movement 13. Furthermore, he changed a lot in the voice-leading and in overall notation.



Ramin in this recording leads the ensemble who (in Bach's lifetime) performed this work--the Thomanerchor Leipzig and the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig)."