When placed alongside the “St. Matthew Passion,” Johann Sebastian Bach’s “St. John Passion” is especially striking in its immediacy. The work is smaller in scale, yet more extravagant, less contemplative, and perhaps even a little rawer. It’s also much less frequently performed. Though Bach never composed an opera, this is about as close as he would ever get.

The Dryden Ensemble will offer three opportunities to hear it live: this Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., at All Saints’ Church in Princeton, and this Sunday at 3 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church in Solebury, PA.

The “St. John Passion” was first performed on Good Friday, 1724, shortly after Bach’s 39th birthday. Dryden will present the work using the same forces Bach himself employed: a choir of eight superb singers and a small orchestra of period instruments. Tenor Jason McStoots will sing the part of the Evangelist, and baritone William Sharp will portray Jesus. Scott Metcalfe will conduct. For tickets and information, look online at http://www.drydensemble.org.

Then join me this afternoon on The Classical Network, as I’ll be hosting Dryden’s artistic director Jane McKinley, Metcalfe, and McStoots. They’ll drop by at 5:00 to tell us more about this run of performances and to talk about the significance of the “St. John Passion.”

Following our conversation, which will include musical excerpts, I’ll also have a recording of Bach sonatas played by violinist Lara St. John.

As a counterbalance to this all-Bach hour, I’ll be celebrating the birthdays today of American composer Samuel Barber and conductor Thomas Schippers. We’ll also take in the otherworldly Theremin Concerto by Finnish composer Kalevi Aho. Here are a few comments by the soloist, Carolina Eyck, for whom the work was written:

As we chat about Bach this afternoon and enjoy his music, remember, we are currently in the midst of our Bach 500 campaign. In celebration of the anniversary of Bach’s birth (on March 21st, 1685), we are asking for 500 listeners to step up and make a donation to The Classical Network IN ANY AMOUNT. You set the level.

When we reach 500 donations, we’ll tally in the funds from our Bach Pot – contributions solicited in advance from some especially ardent supporters – and, best of all, we’ll be able to cancel fundraising on Bach’s birthday and enjoy just his music.

You can do your part to help make that happen by calling us during business hours at 1-888-232-1212, or by donating anytime online at wwfm.org.

Once we raise the money, we’re Bach to the music!

Thank you for your support. It’s because of the generosity of listeners just like you that we have been able to share the world’s great music since 1982. Make your donation, then join me today for Bach, Barber, and uncanny Aho, from 4 to 7 p.m. EDT, on WWFM – The Classical Network and wwfm.org.

The Kalevi Aho Society