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This single‑session, two‑hour lecture offers an in‑depth introduction to Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion (1724), one of the most dramatic and compelling sacred works of the Baroque period. Composed during Bach’s first year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, the Passion combines vivid storytelling, intensely expressive arias, chorale meditations, and powerful turba choruses. We will investigate the musical, liturgical, and theological contexts of the 1724 Good Friday performance, examine Bach’s treatment of the Gospel narrative, and explore how his musical language conveys anguish, contemplation, and spiritual transformation. Through guided listening and discussion, the session illuminates why the St John Passion continues to move modern audiences.
What will we cover?
• Bach’s first year in Leipzig and the liturgical context of the 1724 Good Friday Vespers service • The Gospel of John as musical narrative: structure, pacing, and theological themes • The role of the Evangelist, Christus, and turba (crowd) choruses • Chorales as communal reflection and theological commentary • Key arias and their instrumental symbolism • Differences between the St John Passion and the later St Matthew Passion • Performance history, revisions, and modern interpretations
What will I achieve? By the end of this course you should be able to...
• Understand the historical, liturgical, and musical context of the St John Passion • Recognise the work’s structure and the functions of its principal musical components (narration, arias, chorales, choruses) • Identify Bach’s expressive techniques in conveying drama and devotion • Appreciate the work’s enduring significance in sacred music and the concert tradition
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
No prior musical training is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in Baroque music, sacred music, or Bach will enhance your experience, but curious newcomers are warmly welcomed. Translations of the German texts will be provided.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
- Our session will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study. - Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom. - You will be encouraged to explore extra reading after class.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after the session.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
To find out more about music history classes Music history courses in London and online which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.
Edward teaches music history and theory at City lit. His specialism is early music (medieval, renaissance and baroque) and he completed a PhD in historical musicology at King's College London (2013) on the performance of medieval music. Outside of teaching, Edward is a regular contributor to Gramophone magazine and has lectured for Dartington International Summer School, London's Southbank Centre and The British Library. He has also worked as a researcher for BBC Proms and written for the journal Early Music (OUP). His essays are published in: The Cambridge Encyclopaedia of Historical Performance in Music, (Cambridge University Press); The Montpellier Codex: Studies in Medieval and Renaissance Music 16 (Boydell Press); Recomposing the Past: Representations of Early Music on Stage and Screen (Ashgate 2018); and 30-Second Classical Music (Ivy Press).
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.
product
https://www.citylit.ac.uk/great-works-bach-s-st-john-passion3034516Great works: Bach's St John Passionhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpg3939GBPInStock/Courses/Courses/Performing arts/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history/Courses/New courses228513141351136317431228513141351<p>Explore the power, structure, and expressive depth of Bach’s earliest surviving Passion setting.</p>003034360Great works: Bach's St John Passion3939https://www.citylit.ac.uk/media/catalog/category/Exploring-opera-3-MD999-1024.jpgInStockDaytimeMonKeeley StreetAvailable coursesOne-off onlyWeekday2027-04-05T00:00:00+00:00Beginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allApr 2027Performing artsMD040B3939Great works: Bach's St John Passion393939Edward Breengreat-works-bach-s-st-john-passion/md040b-2627<p>Explore the power, structure, and expressive depth of Bach’s earliest surviving Passion setting.</p>0000-Available|2027-04-05 00:00:00<p>This single‑session, two‑hour lecture offers an in‑depth introduction to Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion (1724), one of the most dramatic and compelling sacred works of the Baroque period. Composed during Bach’s first year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, the Passion combines vivid storytelling, intensely expressive arias, chorale meditations, and powerful <em>turba </em>choruses. We will investigate the musical, liturgical, and theological contexts of the 1724 Good Friday performance, examine Bach’s treatment of the Gospel narrative, and explore how his musical language conveys anguish, contemplation, and spiritual transformation. Through guided listening and discussion, the session illuminates why the St John Passion continues to move modern audiences.</p><p>Explore the power, structure, and expressive depth of Bach’s earliest surviving Passion setting.</p><p>• Bach’s first year in Leipzig and the liturgical context of the 1724 Good Friday Vespers service<br>• The Gospel of John as musical narrative: structure, pacing, and theological themes<br>• The role of the Evangelist, Christus, and <em>turba </em>(crowd) choruses<br>• Chorales as communal reflection and theological commentary<br>• Key arias and their instrumental symbolism<br>• Differences between the St John Passion and the later St Matthew Passion<br>• Performance history, revisions, and modern interpretations</p><p>• Understand the historical, liturgical, and musical context of the St John Passion<br>• Recognise the work’s structure and the functions of its principal musical components (narration, arias, chorales, choruses)<br>• Identify Bach’s expressive techniques in conveying drama and devotion<br>• Appreciate the work’s enduring significance in sacred music and the concert tradition</p><p>No prior musical training is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in Baroque music, sacred music, or Bach will enhance your experience, but curious newcomers are warmly welcomed. Translations of the German texts will be provided.</p><p>- Our session will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study.<br>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br>- You will be encouraged to explore extra reading after class.</p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after the session.<p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyvirtual393939MD040BNONEMon05/04/2711:00 - 13:0011:0013:001 session1One-off onlyDaytimeWeekdayKSKeeley StreetEdward BreenBeginners, Some experience, Advanced, Suitable for allAvailable courses2027-04-05T00:00:00+00:00Apr 2027Performing arts3939Great works: Bach's St John Passiongreat-works-bach-s-st-john-passion/md040b-2627<p>Explore the power, structure, and expressive depth of Bach’s earliest surviving Passion setting.</p>0000-Available|2027-04-05 00:00:00<p>This single‑session, two‑hour lecture offers an in‑depth introduction to Johann Sebastian Bach’s St John Passion (1724), one of the most dramatic and compelling sacred works of the Baroque period. Composed during Bach’s first year as Thomaskantor in Leipzig, the Passion combines vivid storytelling, intensely expressive arias, chorale meditations, and powerful <em>turba </em>choruses. We will investigate the musical, liturgical, and theological contexts of the 1724 Good Friday performance, examine Bach’s treatment of the Gospel narrative, and explore how his musical language conveys anguish, contemplation, and spiritual transformation. Through guided listening and discussion, the session illuminates why the St John Passion continues to move modern audiences.</p><p>Explore the power, structure, and expressive depth of Bach’s earliest surviving Passion setting.</p><p>• Bach’s first year in Leipzig and the liturgical context of the 1724 Good Friday Vespers service<br>• The Gospel of John as musical narrative: structure, pacing, and theological themes<br>• The role of the Evangelist, Christus, and <em>turba </em>(crowd) choruses<br>• Chorales as communal reflection and theological commentary<br>• Key arias and their instrumental symbolism<br>• Differences between the St John Passion and the later St Matthew Passion<br>• Performance history, revisions, and modern interpretations</p><p>• Understand the historical, liturgical, and musical context of the St John Passion<br>• Recognise the work’s structure and the functions of its principal musical components (narration, arias, chorales, choruses)<br>• Identify Bach’s expressive techniques in conveying drama and devotion<br>• Appreciate the work’s enduring significance in sacred music and the concert tradition</p><p>No prior musical training is required. The session is suitable for learners at all levels. An interest in Baroque music, sacred music, or Bach will enhance your experience, but curious newcomers are warmly welcomed. Translations of the German texts will be provided.</p><p>- Our session will comprise combinations of lecture, discussion, quizzes, guided listening, video and score study.<br>- Course materials (handouts, scores, links to online videos) will be shared via google classroom.<br>- You will be encouraged to explore extra reading after class.</p>You may also wish to purchase some of the music books or recordings discussed in class, links to these materials will be available online after the session.<p>To find out more about music history classes <a href="https://https://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer"> Music history courses in London and online</a> which lists our full programme of classes ordered by term, and by day of the week. You may then click on each title to read the full course outline.</p>MusicMusic historyconfigurable
13631351Music historyhttps://www.citylit.ac.uk/courses/performing-arts/music/music-history1/2/285/1314/1351/13631/Courses/Performing arts/Music/Music history
