Markus-Passion - Passion Selon Saint-Marc

The Markus-Passion, composed by Georg Philipp Telemann in 1759, represents a late-career exploration of the Passion form, written during his tenure as Hamburg's cantor. Telemann’s setting stands apart from his contemporary Bach’s works by incorporating a lighter, galant influence that reflects the evolving musical tastes of the mid-18th century. This recording was produced during the 1960s as part of a concerted effort by Philips to document and revive the breadth of Telemann's extensive liturgical catalog.

This specific recording was conducted by Kurt Redel, a flutist and conductor known for his advocacy of Baroque repertoire. Redel’s approach aimed to reconcile the emotional weight of the Passion narrative with the stylistic clarity favored by mid-century European ensembles. The release, pressed as a two-record set on the Philips label, was received by critics as a significant contribution to the early music revival, offering listeners a window into a composition that had long been overshadowed by the works of Telemann’s contemporaries.