Collegium Vocale Gent / Philippe Herreweghe

Philippe Herreweghe and his Collegium Vocale have been intimately familiar with Bach's St. John Passion for decades. Their latest recording of ‘Bach's other Passion’ was awarded a perfect ten out of ten in the magazine Luister. According to the publication, Herreweghe emphasises the dramatic intensity of the piece, by means of an exceptional forcefulness in the choruses of the second movement and notable contrasts in expressive dynamics within the chorales. This makes the St. John Passion an excellent alternative to the St. Matthew Passion. Shorter, more intense, perhaps even more thrilling – but above all, musically just as rich, full, and vintage Bach. Herreweghe and his Collegium Vocale usually stick to the first version from 1724. Bach also performed the St. John Passion in Leipzig in 1725 and 1728, making some changes along the way. At DE SINGEL, the original and powerful opening chorus Herr, unser Herrscher will resonate as a perfect introduction to the Easter season.