... to deserve heaven!

Recording the St. John Passion with René Jacobs, the Academy of Ancient Music Berlin, the RIAS Chamber Choir, etc. in the Teldex Studio for Harmonia Mundi France.

“You do not necessarily have to be a believer to understand the theological background of the St. John Passion,” says René Jacobs, “but it makes it easier. During my life I often doubted these doctrines and could not really accept them. I still have doubts every day, or at least very often, yet when I hear the sound of this music I believe again and I am confident and peaceful because God became Human and saved us. In short, that is the message of the Passion. One can penetrate deeply into Bach’s Passion if one knows its theological background. You don’t have to unconditionally believe in these doctrines, yet they are part of our culture. And should they disappear there would be no more purpose to all this music. Perhaps people could still enjoy Bach’s instrumental works.
But the meaning of the vocal works would be completely lost.”

Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin
RIAS Kammerchor
Staats- und Domchor Berlin

Sunhai Im, Sopran
Benno Schachtner, Countertenor
Sebastian Kohlhepp, Tenor
Werner Güra, Tenor
Johannes Weisser, Bass
Bernhard Forck, Konzertmeister
Shizuko Noiri, Laute
Martin Sauer, Tonmeister

Cast & Crew

Director
Uli Aumüller