We have a collection of 27 arrangements for Johann Sebastian Bach - 3 Choruses from St John Passion, BWV 245
What three powerful choruses from Bach's St. John Passion depict the crowd's demand for crucifixion? Learn!
Who's behind the notes? Discover Johann Sebastian Bach: Master of Baroque Music
The three choruses – "Lässest du diesen los, so bist du des Kaisers Freund nicht" ("If you let this man go, you are not a friend of Caesar"), "Weg, weg mit dem, kreuzige ihn!" ("Away, away with Him, crucify Him!"), and "Wir haben keinen König denn den Kaiser." ("We have no King but Caesar") – are dramatic highlights from Bach's St. John Passion. They represent the furious crowd demanding Jesus's crucifixion from Pontius Pilate. Bach's music masterfully conveys the mounting tension and mob mentality through driving rhythms, intense counterpoint, and sharp harmonic shifts, making them some of the most visceral and exciting choral writing in the Baroque repertoire.