Grosse Passions Musik nach dem Evangelium Johannis ... vollständiger Klavierauszug von L. Hellwig ... Pr. 41./2 Rthlr. [BWV 245]. [Piano-vocal score]

Berlin: T. Trautwein [PN 365], 1830. Oblong folio. 19th century dark green cloth-backed plain mid-brown paper boards, with decorative cut-paper manuscript title label to upper with owner's name, "C. Miller." [i] (lithographic title by F. Sachse incorporating a decorative vignette), 2-101 pp. Engraved.

Binding slightly worn. Occasional minor stains and foxing; title slightly browned and reinforced with narrow strip of paper at gutter; small tear to blank lower margin of p. 95. First Edition, later issue, with music commencing on the verso of the title leaf (in the first issue the verso of the title is blank and the music begins on the verso of the second leaf). Rare. Published one year before the full score. Schmieder 2, p. 436. Schneider p. 112. Not in Hoboken or Hirsch. RISM B438 and BB438 (4 copies only).

A masterpiece of sacred music, the St. John Passion was first performed at the Nikolaikirche in Leipzig on Good Friday, 7 April 1724.

"... in everything which relates to musical style, in invention, and in the elaboration of the separate compositions, Bach proves himself to have reached the heights of ripe and perfect mastery [in the St. John Passion]. The treatment of the recitatives, as in the cantatas, is of Bach's best period." Spitta: The Life of Bach, Vol. 2, p. 529.