Since its first performance in Berlin in 1755, Carl Heinrich Graun’s “empfindsame” (sensible) Passion Cantata "Der Tod Jesu", with a libretto by Karl Wilhelm Ramler had long been one of the most frequently performed works in this genre. Until the end of the 19th century this work was able to maintain its position in the repertoire of numerous oratorio societies and singing academies (especially the Berliner SingAkademie). It was often given equal billing with Bach’s passions, until finally, in the second half of the 19th century Bach's works became more predominant. With the publication of the present critical new edition (the first since it was first published in 1760), "Der Tod Jesu" is once again available for sale to the musical public. This makes accessible an epochmaking work which in its time set the standard for settings of the Passion.