The Great Passion Audiobook By James Runcie cover art

The Great Passion

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The Great Passion

By: James Runcie
Narrated by: Pip Torrens
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Bloomsbury presents The Great Passion by James Runcie, read by Pip Torrens.

From acclaimed bestselling author James Runcie, a meditation on grief and music, told through the story of Bach’s writing of the St. Matthew Passion.

In 1727, Stefan Silbermann is a grief-stricken thirteen-year-old, struggling with the death of his mother and his removal to a school in distant Leipzig. Despite his father’s insistence that he try not to think of his mother too much, Stefan is haunted by her absence, and, to make matters worse, he’s bullied by his new classmates. But when the school’s cantor, Johann Sebastian Bach, takes notice of his new pupil’s beautiful singing voice and draws him from the choir to be a soloist, Stefan’s life is permanently changed.

Over the course of the next several months, and under Bach’s careful tutelage, Stefan’s musical skill progresses, and he is allowed to work as a copyist for Bach’s many musical works. But mainly, drawn into Bach’s family life and away from the cruelty in the dorms and the lonely hours of his mourning, Stefan begins to feel at home. When another tragedy strikes, this time in the Bach family, Stefan bears witness to the depths of grief, the horrors of death, the solace of religion, and the beauty that can spring from even the most profound losses.

Joyous, revelatory, and deeply moving, The Great Passion is an imaginative tour de force that tells the story of what it was like to sing, play, and hear Bach’s music for the very first time.©2022 James Runcie (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing Plc Biographical Fiction Genre Fiction Tearjerking
Wonderful Story • Passionate Delve • Excellent Narration • Remarkable Gift • Tender Writing • Moving Experience
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This story puts a person in Leipzig during Bach time so well you feel like you are there and experiencing being with the great cantor.

The Great Passion

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Amazing to learn how dedicated and how much effort was required to accomplish what those musicians living then did.

Opened my understanding of how hard those times were.

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Great narration and insights into Bach’s music and life during the enlightenment. I’m ready to listen to sr Matthew’s passion now.

Compelling tale

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Probably one of the best performances I’ve listened to. Thank you Pip Torrens. To James Runcie, I am looking forward to a movie version so I can hear the music.

Wonderful book, wonderful reading

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Prior to this novel, I had no familiarity to St Matthew’s Passion by Bach. I now realize the performance serves as inspirational as Handel’s Messiah in reaching across cultures, ages, and seasons of life to touch the essence of humanity. This novel immerses the reader into the world of a mourning teen newly arrived to boarding school in 1729 Leipzig, Germany. The characterization and narration brought through this audiobook is easy to follows and offers a complimentary escape to Germany while riddled with hardships, grief and loss that still embattled the human experience. Mob mentality and transforming the disgust of mankind at its worst into a need for Bach to compose his Passion piece- so needed in today’s conflicted times. This novel offers new generation of confused people, muddling through life’s great challenges a balm to our bruised souls through the comfort of Bach’s timeless music.

Music continues to serve as a balm to our soul

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Required listen for Bach lovers, especially those who have performed the St. Matthew Passion. The story of its creation from the point of view of a homesick but very talented choirboy who is befriended by the Bach family. Wonderful performance.

For music lovers.

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I felt like I was part of Bach’s household after listening to this book. The story is so good, and the narrator is excellent.

Importance of being occupied with passion

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The performance was perfect. The story was compelling. I only wish samples of the actual scores of music were included in the Audio book.

Brings to life the creative genius of one of the greatest composers of all time.

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The setting is one of a character being introduced to a real person; in this case Johann Sebastian Bach. The life of the character, Stephan Silverman intertwines with the personhood, family, and music of Bach that allows one to imagine they actually get to know this arguable greatest musical composer of all time; as they would if they were his close friend. Bach’s belief in Christ Jesus and his familiarity and command of the Word of God would have made him a great preacher. But God must have had other plans for Bach. And that was to put onto paper the music God put into his mind. The narration is exquisite. The story is destined for a movie.

Simple Riveting!

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As a musician and music teacher, I was so moved to see and hear the great J S Bach in relationship to his family and church and students. The writing and story are both tender and wise, full of believable conflict and character. Bravo!

Life Changing

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