St John Passion

Andrew Arthur returns to St Nicholas Church Arundel with The Hanover Band, The Hanover Band Chorus and internationally renowned soloists for Bach's St John Passion.

Written during Johann Sebastian Bach's first year as Director of church music in Leipzig and was first performed on 7 April 1724, at Good Friday Vespers at the St. Nicholas Church Leipzig. The St John is the earliest of the surviving Passions by JS Bach.

The St John Passion was intended for the vesper service on Good Friday of 1724, shortly after Bach's 39th birthday. It was originally planned to be held at St. Thomas in Leipzig, but due to a last-minute change by the music council, it was to be first performed at St. Nicholas. Bach quickly agreed to the move, but pointed out that the booklet was already printed, that there was no room available and that the harpsichord needed some repair, all of which, however, could be attended to at little cost; but he requested that a little additional room be provided in the choir loft of St. Nicholas Church, where he planned to place the musicians needed to perform the music. He also asked that the harpsichord be repaired.