In Amsterdam, each week of Easter opens with a performance of one of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Passions, following a long-established tradition. Beyond the Netherlands, and across Europe, the Easter fortnight offers countless opportunities to hear the great sacred works of the Leipzig Cantor. A brief selection, inevitably incomplete. 
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Thirteen St Matthew Passions for Masaaki Suzuki and the Nederlandse Bachvereniging
At the helm of the Nederlandse Bachvereniging, Masaaki Suzuki has conducted the St Matthew Passion thirteen times across the Netherlands. After Utrecht, where two performances at TivoliVredenburg sold out, the ensemble travelled on to Groningen, Rotterdam, Eindhoven, Amsterdam, Naarden and Tilburg. An impressive run!
With the Nederlandse Bachvereniging and Masaaki Suzuki.
Nine St Matthew Passions for Raphaël Pichon and Pygmalion
From Bordeaux to the Philharmonie de Paris, via Madrid, Valencia, Zurich, Vienna, Amsterdam and Versailles, Raphaël Pichon and his ensemble Pygmalion have given nine performances of the St Matthew Passion between 20 March and early April. Here at Zurich Opera House, as part of the Zürich Barock festival. Not bad either.
With Pygmalion and Raphaël Pichon.
The St John Passion in Erfurt and Berlin with Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin
At the Erfurt Theatre, followed by the Konzerthaus Berlin, Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin and the RIAS Kammerchor, under the direction of Justin Doyle, performed the St John Passion to sold-out audiences, with Katharina Konradi, Sarah Romberger, Julian Habermann, Marcus Farnsworth, Benedikt Kristjánsson and Martin Häßler.
With the Akademie für Alte Musik Berlin, the RIAS Kammerchor and Justin Doyle.
A St Matthew Passion with Klaus Mäkelä in Baden-Baden
The Baden-Baden Easter Festival opened its edition by extending the Amsterdam tradition of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. At the Festspielhaus, the St Matthew Passion was conducted by Klaus Mäkelä, who shapes a sound world of striking beauty, at once transparent, finely nuanced and intensely expressive.
With the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, the Nederlands Kamerkoor, the Cantus Juvenum Karlsruhe and Klaus Mäkelä.
A St Matthew Passion for families in Leiden
At the Pieterskerk in Leiden, Edwin Rutten and the Luthers Bach Ensemble presented a condensed version of the St Matthew Passion, lasting around 70 minutes. Designed for families and younger audiences, this adaptation offers an accessible introduction to Bach’s masterpiece and its musical world.
With the Luthers Bach Ensemble and Edwin Rutten.
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