Bach's St. Matthews Passion | Ep. 12
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750) is considered by many the most influential composer of the baroque musical period. He was a phenomenal organist as well as a violinist and teacher. He was very passionate about his music and also his religious faith. As a result, he almost exclusively wrote music for use in worship.
During the Renaissance, music had undergone some changes stylistically. Before this time music was seen to be more of a memory tool. It was simple to contain a melody line with little or no accompaniment, and the words were to be the main emphasis. During the Renaissance, however, composers became obsessed with polyphony, which is the art of weaving multiple different lines of music together into a unified whole. Bach, was a master of this art. However, he did not let his music pull focus from the text they accompanied. Rather, he made sure that his beautiful music supported and mirrored the words that they sang.
Bach lived shortly after the German reformation. Due to Luther’s teaching, congregational participation in worship was important to Bach. Traditionally, the Roman Catholic services had been performed in Latin. After Luther, services began to be performed in the common language of the different congregations. Bach, being German, set the text of his St. Matthew’s Passion in German. However, singing in German was not enough though for Bach. This piece was intended for Good Friday service, and he wanted the congregation to participate as well. Bach masterfully wove into his work several well known hymns of the time that would give the congregation opportunity to take part in there service itself.
Through out the piece, Bach tells the somber story from Matthew’s gospel of Christ’s Passion. However, he also at certain times will interject with a reflection on the work that Christ is doing on his and the listeners’ behalf. Through music and word he emphasizes the suffering of Christ, and reminds us that it was all done for our sake.
Through this piece we see Christ stricken, smitten, and afflicted. We watch him hang and die, and then Bach leaves us weeping at the tomb. All is dark and desolate. The final words of the piece are:
"We sit down with tears
And call to you in your tomb
Rest gently, gently rest!
Rest, you exhausted limbs!
Your grave and tombstone
For our anguished conscience shall be
A pillow that gives peace and comfort
And the place where our souls find rest.
With the greatest content there our eyes will close in sleep."
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