St. John Passion, BWV 245

Composer: Bach, Johann Sebastian

Conductor: Richter, Karl

Orchestra: Munich Bach Orchestra

Chorus: Munich Bach Choir

Bass Arias: Engen, Kieth

Evangelist: Schreier, Peter

Jesus: Schramm, Ernst-Gerold

Petrus: Nimsgern, Siegmund

Pilatus: Nimsgern, Siegmund

Soprano: Donath, Helen

Tenor: Laubenthal, Horst R.

Producer: Buttenstedt, Fritz

Television Director: Arnbom, Arne

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Date of Production: 09-1970

Playing Time: 02:09:55

Catalogue Number: A05004487

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Over the course of his long career as conductor, organist and harpsichordist, Karl Richter (1926-1981) became synonymous with Bach. He founded the Munich Bach Choir and the Munich Bach Orchestra, and helped trigger the Bach revival in the 1950s. He recorded all the major choral and orchestral works of Bach, including more than 100 cantatas. Although Richter saw several dramatic shifts in Baroque performance practice during his lifetime, he remained true to his own style, which was considered revolutionary in the 1950s and 60s. This was a "de-romanticized" Bach which featured a reduced body of performers more in keeping with the composer's original forces. Richter's style also accented a cool, brisk, almost abstract attitude toward the music. Our recording with the Munich Bach Choir and Orchestra features such world-renowned soloists as Helen Donath, Julia Hamari, Peter Schreier and Horst Laubenthal.