The St Matthew Passion (German: Matthäus-Passion), BWV 244, is a Passion, a sacred oratorio written by Johann Sebastian Bach in 1727 for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra, with libretto by Picander (Christian Friedrich Henrici). It sets chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel of Matthew (in the German translation of Martin Luther) to music, with interspersed chorales and arias. It is widely regarded as one of the masterpieces of classical sacred music. The original Latin title Passio Domini nostri J.C. secundum Evangelistam Matthæum translates to "The Passion of our Lord J[esus] C[hrist] according to the Evangelist Matthew".

Librettist Christian Friedrich Henrici (1700–1764), as Picander
Date of composition 1727
Premiered 1736, March 30th in Leipzig, Germany
First published 1830 - Berlin: Schlesinger
Dedicated to Good Friday (Parasceve)
Type Oratorio
Tonality E Minor
Catalogue BWV 244
Spoken language German
Instruments Voice - Solo voices ;
2x Chorus/Choir
2x Orchestra
In listings Famous Works
Links
Autotranslations beta Jean-Sébastien Bach: St Matthew Passion en mi mineur, BWV 244
Johann Sebastian Bach: St Matthew Passion in mi minore, BWV 244
Johann Sebastian Bach: St Matthew Passion e-moll, BWV 244