On Good Friday in a small church in Leipzig, Germany, the music began. Johann Sebastian Bach’s musical masterpiece St. John Passion has endured for 300 years, continuing to resonate with audiences around the world.

Michael Fuchs, director of choral activities and associate professor in the Music Department at the University of Wisconsin-Superior, recently co-published a book on the piece. Bach’s St. John Passion for the Twenty-First Century aims to celebrate Bach’s work while providing a modern context.

Fuchs has a long history in music. He has built his career as a conductor, educator, and singer. Throughout his career, Fuchs has performed internationally and across the United States. He is also a lifelong admirer and student of Bach.

“I was taking piano lessons in high school when I came across another one of Bach’s masterworks, The Mass in B Minor,” says Fuchs. “I remember being absolutely captivated by that music, the gravitas and scale of it. Ever since then, Bach has been a composer who has captivated my interest and spoken to me. His music is challenging but incredibly rewarding.”

The book examines St. John Passion from theological, historical, and theoretical perspectives. Fuchs co-authored the book with Bradley Jenson, a financial planner and pastor based in Duluth.

During UWS’s spring break in 2021, Fuchs traveled to Leipzig, the birthplace of Bach’s St. John Passion, to gather information for the book. His time in Leipzig brought him closer to the heart of the piece.

“I got to see the church and attend the concerts that were happening,” says Fuchs. “It put everything into perspective and allowed me to write and immerse myself in the piece.”

Fuchs further deepened his connection to the work through a choir performance last year. The music departments of UWS and The College of St. Scholastica collaborated on two performances using their choirs and orchestras.

While teaching the piece, Fuchs made sure to educate his students about its historical context and the reasons behind its enduring popularity.

“It’s such a well-composed piece of music,” Fuchs says. “It’s important to understand what you’re singing about and what’s happening. Knowing the connections between the music, its history, and the theology or theory behind everything opens up the piece and makes it even more interesting.”

The two performances took place in April 2024, marking the 300th anniversary of the first performance of St. John Passion.

Fuchs expresses deep gratitude for the support he received throughout his creative process.

“UWS has contributed immensely to this experience,” Fuchs says. “My colleagues, students, and the administration have all been incredibly supportive throughout this project. The university provided the grants that allowed me to travel to Germany while writing the book, helping me visit these historic sites and understand the places connected to the music. They were also supportive of the performances. The university has been great.”

By Olivia Fleming, English Major and Student Writer for UWS.