Johann Sebastian Bach | St. John Passion, BWV 245

Voices of Ascension Chorus and Orchestra
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director and Conductor

Brian Giebler, tenor (Evangelist)
Matthew Curran, bass-baritone (Jesus)
Joseph Beutel, bass-baritone (Pilate)
Elisse Albian, soprano
Lucia Bradford, mezzo-soprano
Andrew Stenson, tenor
Jason Eck, baritone

Operatic in scale, Bach’s St. John Passion is a masterpiece of Baroque music. The chorus has two alternating roles: one as a “Greek Chorus” commenting on the scenes unfolding, and separately as the “crowd” participating in the events. From the first turbulent note of the orchestra, the music propels the narrative toward the inevitable tragic conclusion – and then, redemption.