Thomanerchor Leipzig and Gewandhausorchester Leipzig—Bach’s St Matthew Passion

Three centuries on, its power to move remains—from the choir and orchestra of Bach’s Leipzig

No other choir in the world can claim a direct lineage to Bach. Thomanerchor Leipzig, one of the world’s oldest boys’ choirs, has sung for more than 800 years, and Bach served as its cantor from 1723–50. Renowned for the purity of its choral sound, the Choir preserves the boy treble tradition of Bach’s era, under conductor Andreas Reize, the 18th Thomaskantor after the composer.

St Matthew Passion was composed for Thomanerchor Leipzig and premiered at St Thomas Church on Good Friday in 1727, reaching its 300th anniversary in 2027. Scored for double choir, double orchestra, soloists and continuo, it traces the final days of Christ between monumental choral writing and solitary grief. The Choir is joined by the Gewandhausorchester Leipzig, among the world’s oldest and most distinguished orchestras.