Rare Version of the St. John Passion BWV 245.2 (1725)

Rare Version of the St. John Passion BWV 245.2 (1725) Performed by La Cetra Vocal Ensemble and Baroque Orchestra Basel under Andrea Marcon at Nikolaikirche Leipzig

On June 15, 2025, the rarely performed 1725 version of Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. John Passion was presented at the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig. The performance was conducted by Andrea Marcon with the La Cetra Baroque Orchestra and Vocal Ensemble Basel.

This version is distinguished by changes to the opening and closing choruses, as well as three newly added arias, which Bach composed exactly 300 years ago for Good Friday in Leipzig.

The 16-member SATB ensemble was accompanied by 23 musicians playing historical instruments. The soloists were Jakob Pilgram (tenor, Evangelist), Christian Wagner (bass, Jesus and arias), Miriam Feuersinger (soprano), Sara Mingardo (alto), Mirko Ludwig (tenor), Guglielmo Buonsanti (bass, Pilate), and Francesc Ortega i Martí (bass, Peter).

The audience responded with thunderous, standing applause. The performance was recorded and represents a valuable addition to previous recordings.

"All soloists had a reliable backbone in the colorful and carefully accompanying La Cetra Baroque Orchestra. 23 instrumentalists moved very skillfully within the stylistic framework of historical performance, …
As soon as the floating 'Amen' had faded, Marcon still raised his arms, and there was no stopping: first strong, then thunderous and standing applause."

June 16, 2025, Leipziger Vollkszeitung, Werner Kopfmüller

"The La Cetra Baroque Orchestra & Vocal Ensemble Basel, accompanied by an orchestra on historical instruments and a sixteen-member SATB choir, delivered an outstanding performance. Marcon conducted the ensemble with nuance and sensitivity, bringing out not only the musical subtleties but also the spirituality and emotional depth of the story."

June 18, 2025, DAS OPERNMAGAZIN, Dr. Daniel Floyd