Introduction to the St. John Passion
The composer Johann Sebastian Bach reinvented his famous St. John Passion three times, with each version reflected in the spirit of the time. The story, which tells of Jesus’ passion, is more relevant than ever and will be judged after revisiting the classic at the Leipzig Bach Festival.
The Passion of Jesus in Christian Theology
In Christian theology, the passion of Jesus relates to the suffering, the crucifixion, and resurrection of Christ during his last week. It includes his arrest, his trial, death, and funeral, which ends with his resurrection, a cornerstone for the Christian belief in salvation.
The "Queeren Passion"
On the opening weekend, the "Queeren Passion" – with a new libretto from Thomas Höft – portrayed the suffering of people from the LGBTQ scene. "In Russia and the USA in particular, Queer people are discriminated against and suppressed again," the author and dramaturge and director Thomas Höft said. The "Queeren Passion" aims to raise awareness about the struggles faced by the LGBTQ community.
Bach in Arabic Against the Middle East Conflicts
The "Arab Passion", arranged by the Bulgarian musician Vladimir Ivanoff, gives Bach’s music an oriental taste. A large audience was reached on the Leipzig market square. In 2006, Ivanoff combined excerpts from Bach’s St. John and St. Matthew Passion when the US invasion continued in Iraq. The excerpts from the passions are sung in Arabic by the Lebanese actress and singer Fadia Grab El-Hage, who currently lives in Germany.
Transformation Beyond Music
This year’s Bach Festival motto is "transformation". It is a word that is currently heard in abundance, referring to transformations in business, the digital world, and the climate. The concert opened with an early version of Bach’s famous "Mass in B Minor", written in 1733. Although this version was rarely listed, it was later used in the complete "mass" and is now part of UNESCO’s memory of the world register.
The Bach Festival and Archive
The Bach Festival is one of the most international classic music festivals in Germany. Visitors from over 50 countries participate this year – from Burundi to South Africa to Latin America. The Leipzig Bach Archive, which celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, has the second-largest collection in the world of writings, books, and objects related to Bach and his extensive family.
Bringing Bach to Life in the Digital Age
The event also brings Bach to life in the digital area. With augmented reality, the baroque master will play a harpsichord concert as an avatar – and comment on its famous, rugged way. The digital concert can be viewed with 3D glasses and will go on tour even after the Bach Festival. There are already invitations from the USA, Malaysia, and Japan.
Conclusion
The Bach Festival in Leipzig has become a platform for artists to reimagine and reinterpret Bach’s works in a modern context. With its diverse range of performances and events, the festival continues to inspire and educate audiences about the life and works of Johann Sebastian Bach. The festival lasts until June 22nd, offering a unique opportunity for music lovers to experience the transformation of Bach’s music in the digital age.
