Bach on Good Friday: A Passion Like No Other
On Good Friday, April 10, 2020, the Leipzig Bachfest presented a unique rendition of Bach’s St. John Passion at the historic Thomaskirche in Leipzig. This performance, adapted in response to the global pandemic, featured Icelandic tenor Benedikt Kristjánsson narrating the Passion story by embodying all characters and conducting a virtual choir. Harpsichordist Elina Albach and percussionist Philipp Lamprecht provided instrumental accompaniment. Viewers were invited to sing along with chorales, joining five singers in the church and various choirs participating via video link.
For those interested in experiencing this powerful rendition of Bach’s masterpiece, you can watch the performance here:
The program, complete with chorales (scores and texts, German and English) for singing along, is available here.
The minimalist approach, combined with the sacred setting, offered a deeply moving experience, particularly during the Passion’s finale. The performance is available for viewing online, with a program including chorales for audience participation.
This adaptation stands as a testament to the resilience and creativity of artists during challenging times, offering solace and inspiration through music.
