Johann Sebastian Bach: St John Passion, BWV 245

Soloists: Mojca Bitenc Križaj, soprano; Barbara Kozelj, mezzosoprano; Aco Bišćević, tenor; David Jagodic, tenor; Domen Križaj, baritone; Marcos Fink, bass baritone

“My father's music has a higher purpose and a different mission. Rather than merely filling the ears, this is music that primarily seeks to rouse a sentient heart,” were Carl Philipp Emanuel’s thoughts on his father’s work. Since the revival of Bach's monumental works in the 19th century, the entire professional community has been of the opinion that his art represents a major landmark in the history of music and human creativity in general. Of particular interest to our cultural environment is the fact that from the early 17th century a short motet – Ecce, quomodo moritur iustus – was performed as part of Good Friday Vespers after the final chorus of the Passion. From a wide array of motets at his disposal, the great Bach selected the musical setting by Slovenian composer Jacobus Gallus Carniolus. It is with this motet that the Glasbena matica Ljubljana Mixed Choir will conclude the performance on the grand stage of Ljubljana’s Gallus Hall. The Glasbena matica Choir, under the artistic direction of conductor Sebastjan Vrhovnik, will be joined by brilliant Slovenian soloists and distinguished instrumentalists, specialists in the historically informed performance practice of the Baroque era.