Pre-Concert Discussion: Is Bach's St. John Passion Anti-Semitic?

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In anticipation of The Cleveland Orchestra’s March 9 – 12 performances of Bach’s St. John Passion, an extraordinarily moving and achingly beautiful telling of the Crucifixion and perhaps Bach’s most daring, forceful, and poetic work, Music Director Franz Welser-Möst convenes a panel of guest speakers to probe the claim that has often surrounded this seminal work throughout its history: “Is Bach’s St. John Passion anti-Semitic?” Join us as we explore the context of European history, music, and religion that influenced the creation of Bach’s masterpiece and the intersections of meaning, message and intent. Presented by The Cleveland Orchestra, Maltz Museum of Jewish Heritage and Case Western Reserve University.

Featured panelists:

- Franz Welser-Möst – Music Director, The Cleveland Orchestra
- Michael Marissen – Professor Emeritus of Music, Swarthmore College
- Rabbi Roger C. Klein – Associate Rabbi, The Temple-Tifereth Israel
- Moderated by David J. Rothenberg, - Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Music, Case Western Reserve University