Easter Concert
Richard Egarr
Soloists
Oslo Philharmonic Choir Johann Sebastian Bach

Bach's music reaches something that goes deeper than words, deeper than time, deeper than faith. It tells of suffering, sacrifice and love in a way that touches the most vulnerable part of us, no matter who we are or what we believe. When the choir bursts into the opening chorus, with its immense sonority and dramatic energy, we are drawn into a story that is both historical and eternally relevant.

Bach: St John Passion

The St John Passion was first performed at the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig in 1724. It is one of Johann Sebastian Bach's (1685–1750) most renowned passions—a musical portrayal of the suffering and death of Jesus. Yet the work is timeless and remains equally relevant and meaningful to all people, regardless of faith.

The music of the St John Passion is gripping, dramatic and conveys something profoundly human. Bach manages to express life's contrasts—pain, hope and faith—in a deeply moving way. In a world marked by injustice and suffering, the music creates a space for reflection and community. The message of the St John Passion needs no explanation; it simply must be experienced.