Johann Sebastian Bach was 37 when he applied for the job of musical director at Leipzig's churches of St. Thomas and St. Nicolas. He was asked for some assurance that he could "maintain the music." What, for instance, could he offer for the coming Good Friday service? Bach produced his brand-new Passion According to St. John and got the job. Last week RCA Victor released the first complete recording of the St. John (6 sides LP) ever made in English.
To capture the sound and spirit of Bach's day, Conductor Robert Shaw cut the...
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