Lot 356: BACH, JOHANN SEBASTIAN.

BACH, JOHANN SEBASTIAN. GROSSE PASSIONS MUSIK NACH DEM EVANGELIUM JOHANNIS ... VOLLSTÄNDIGER KLAVIERAUSZUG VON L. HELLWIG. [VOCAL SCORE]. BERLIN: T TRAUTWEIN, [1830] First edition of the "St John Passion" , BWV 245, 101 pages, oblong 4to (c.24 x 33cms), engraved music, plate number 365, modern half calf gilt, retaining the original C19 manuscript priced title-label, early bookseller's stamp to title and cover, foxing to last leaf, [RISM BB 438; BWV p.436; not in Hoboken or Hirsch]

Rare: we have no record of this edition appearing at auction and only 4 copies are recorded in RISM. This is the first edition of one of the supreme masterpieces of sacred music and, according to Joseph Kerman, dramatic music as well. This vocal score predates the full score, which was published by Trautwein the following year.