Bach’s Eternal Passion

A new documentary explores why Bach’s St Matthew Passion still moves people across generations, countries and beliefs.

Almost 300 years after its first performance, Bach’s St Matthew Passion still has a magical power: it can overwhelm, unsettle, comfort and connect people far beyond the world of classical music.

This new documentary asks why. What makes this vast work such a milestone in music history? Why does it continue to speak to performers and listeners today? In the course of the film, it becomes clear that while Bach’s St. Matthew Passion was born from a religious tradition, it still touches deeply human themes like guilt, grief, betrayal, compassion and forgiveness.

The film follows artists and Bach lovers around the world as they prepare, perform and reflect on the St Matthew Passion. Among them are Thomaskantor Andreas Reize, conductors Masaaki Suzuki, Ton Koopman and Hans-Christoph Rademann as well as Michael Maul, the artistic director of the Bachfest Leipzig.

Through rehearsals and concerts, historical places, fascinating archival footage and newly created visual sequences, the film traces the story of Bach’s century-defining work – and shows how its emotional force continues to resonate today.

THE ST MATTHEW PASSION – Bach’s Century-Defining Masterpiece (working title)
To mark the 300th anniversary of the world premiere on Good Friday, 2027

Duration: 54 minutes
Completion: March 2027

A 4K UHD production of Accentus Music
In Coproduction with MDR and SRF
In Cooperation with ARTE
Supported by Mitteldeutsche Medienförderung