Do you prefer Bach's John or Matthew Passion, and why?

I love them both. They satisfy two different aesthetic needs. St. John Passion is admirable for its tension and economy; its a prime example of artistic finesse and sense of balance. St. Matthew Passion leaves me awe-struck every time for its warm and daring approach to the matter: it is a sensual work and a deeply moving one. read more

The passions of John and Matthew were in fact the first two to gain a place in the liturgical canon, though this was a good twelve centuries before Bach's settings materialised: Pope Leo the Great established that these two accounts of the events leading to the crucifixion should be presented during Holy Week as early as the 5th century AD. read more

Despite both Bach's settings of the Passion lasting more than two hours, they were written to be used as part of a Lutheran church service - he wrote the St John Passion, for the Good Friday Vespers service of 1724, and the St Matthew Passion three years later. read more