31 Days of Classical, Day 19: talk about the passion

Each day throughout July, I'll share with you a piece of classical music. Thirty-one days, thirty-one pieces.

The list is by no means definitive, nor is it necessarily a list of all of my favorite music from the classical world. Every morning, I start my day with music that inspires me in some way, whether I'm inspired by its happiness, its loneliness, the instrumentation, the harmony, the colors, the melody -- each piece is special in some way -- and offers an opportunity to either hear something you've never heard, or hear something new in a piece you've known your whole life.

Johann Sebastian Bach, St. John Passion, IX: "Ich folge dir gleichfalls mit freudigen Schritten"

Bach is my favorite, in case I haven't made that clear. It's incredibly difficult to make a list of 31 pieces and not have them all be written by Bach. The St. John Passion by Bach is truly incredible. The opening is a stunning musical representation of Christ being hammered to the cross. It's chilling. This aria pops up a bit later, and it's such a beautiful conversation between the flutes (wooden ones, not metal ones), and the play between them is such a delight.

Take the 31 Days of Classical Challenge

31 Days is a bite-sized month-long trial of Classical Music from across the spectrum of the wonderful, expansive music we love at Classical MPR. Join the fun by subscribing to the 31 Days of Classical newsletter, or use #31DaysofClassical on Twitter or Facebook.

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