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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.

A SUNDAY TIMES BOOK OF THE YEAR

'A masterpiece' SCOTSMAN

'A wise, refreshing novel, and a touching human story ... Runcie has an expert imagination' HILARY MANTEL

Love and Death.
Grief and Joy.
Music that lasts forever.

Leipzig, 1726. Eleven-year-old Stefan Silbermann, a humble organ-maker’s son, has just lost his mother. Sent to Leipzig to train as a singer in the St Thomas Church choir, he struggles to stay afloat in a school where the teachers are as casually cruel as the students.

Stefan’s talent draws the attention of the Cantor – Johann Sebastian Bach. Eccentric, obsessive and kind, he rescues Stefan from the miseries of school by bringing him into his home as an apprentice. Soon Stefan feels that this ferociously clever, chaotic family is his own. But when tragedy strikes, Stefan’s period of sanctuary in their household comes to a close.

Something is happening, though. In the depths of his loss, the Cantor is writing a new work: the Saint Matthew Passion, to be performed for the first time on Good Friday. As Stefan watches the work rehearsed, he realises he is witness to the creation of one of the most extraordinary pieces of music that has ever been written.

‘Brilliant ... Readers will be enriched by this novel and its glimpse at genius’ The Times, Historical Fiction of the Month

‘Warmly, reverently, Runcie brings alive what it is like to take part, for the very first time, in one of the most extraordinary pieces of music ever written’ Daily Telegraph©2022 James Runcie (P)2022 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Biographical Fiction Coming of Age Fiction Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Biography Inspiring Heartfelt Tear-jerking Thought-Provoking
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Critic reviews

This wise, refreshing novel takes us to the heart of Bach’s life and work. James Runcie’s expert imagination makes his picture of Leipzig specific and convincing, and behind the music’s echo lies a touching human story. It offers a glimpse into a world more faithful and attentive than our own, but not alien to us: "we listen to music as survivors," the great Cantor says (HILARY MANTEL)
A riveting meditation on grief and the possibilities of music
A masterclass in writing about the power of music and grief
A beautifully calibrated novel ... Bach emerges as an intense, flawed, deeply religious man, and through a poignant exploration of grief and love, Runcie brings his glorious music thrillingly to life
James Runcie, best known for his Grantchester Mysteries series, has conjured a vivid image of Bach … Runcie is brilliant at chronicling Bach’s mission to take the messiness of grief and love and turn them into something beautiful and sacred. Even readers as tone-deaf as I am will be enriched by this novel and its glimpse at genius
This is a moving story, well told, with a wonderfully vital portrait of the composer at its centre
To conjure him as a man, a writer needs to focus very sharply, and, whether in his bestselling Grantchester stories or award-winning documentaries, Runcie is expert at focus … Warmly, reverently, Runcie bring s alive what it is like to take part, for the very first time, in one of the most extraordinary pieces of music ever written
A novel which deserves to last and will surely do so. It is surely James Runcie’s masterwork, a novel written with love and understanding
In this moving and fascinating portrait of a rare moment in musical history, Runcie turns a legend into a real man, compellingly unveiling the intricate connection between passion, grief and the greatest art. Careful research and beautiful writing make this a memorable and rewarding read (LUCY JAGO)
The Great Passion is a novel revering the life and work of JS Bach, as told by a young boy soprano in Leipzig
This is historical fiction of the highest order ... intricate and accessible
I loved this book. Runcie’s description of the familiar music being rehearsed and performed for the first time is extraordinary
Like the St Matthew Passion, this is a novel filled not just with loss and lamentation but with transcendent joy. Runcie’s prose sings. Soli Deo gloria!
Wonderfully imagined
A delightful novel filled with warmth, music, and an obvious love of Bach
Praise for James Runcie: ‘Runcie has the gift of the born storyteller
Tremendous: shrewd, compelling and full of insight (WILLIAM BOYD)
A triumph of inspired imagination
All stars
Most relevant
a beautiful and graceful book. I have learnt a lot. I have even listened to J. S. Bach's music The Passion.

The Great Passion

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This is a beautiful novel; the mood, characters, music and most of all narration by the ever wonderful Pip Torrens made this not only an education on the music of the time but dealt on so many levels with grief and passion.

First class story on the work of Bach as told through the eyes of a young soprano.

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An enjoyable imagining of Bach and the writing of his moving masterwork. Brings to life the time period and offers so many fresh ways to think about music and music makers whether composers, musicians or singers

Wonderful musical insights

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This story of JS Bach and his your pupil and family is joyful to listen to . I couldn’t put it down despite the fact that I have virtually no knowledge of Bach’s work or late 18th century musicians’ lives. Absolutely wonderful . The narration is excellent

Delicious , energetic and compelling

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A powerful and moving story, beautifully narrated. As a musician it had particular moment, but you don't need to be to enjoy this story.. So much humanity and life herein.

Loved it !

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