St John Passion from Isolation

While museums around the world are shuttered due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Apollo’s usual weekly pick of exhibition openings will be replaced by a selection of digital initiatives providing virtual access to art and culture.

The Oxford Bach Soloists, who are on a 12-year mission, which began in 2015, to perform the entire canon of J.S. Bach’s vocal works, are not to be deterred by the current social-distancing measures. Collaborating with the production company Positive Note, the ensemble and their guest artists have remotely recorded a performance of the St John Passion, which was first performed in Leipzig on Good Friday in 1724. Episode one of the nine-parter was released on this year’s Good Friday. A new artwork by Paolo Troilo was commissioned as the cover image for the concert, which is being held in support of the charity Help Musicians UK. Access the broadcast schedule on the Oxford Bach Soloists website and watch the episodes after they’re released on YouTube.

Preview below | View Apollo’s Art Diary here

Screenshot from episode three of the Oxford Back Soloists’ St John Passion from Isolation

Screenshot showing artist Paolo Troilo at work in episode three of the Oxford Back Soloists’ St John Passion from Isolation