Bach's St. Matthew Passion
Sacred Musical Work by a German Protestant Composer of Baroque Era
Johann Sebastian Bach's St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244: facts, the cast, brief history, and other related information.
St Matthew Passion (Mattháuspassion), BWV 244, is a large-scale musical composition by German Protestant composer JS Bach of Baroque era.
- Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750).
- Original Title: Passio D.N.J.C. secundum Matthaeum
- Original Language: German
- Text: From the Holy Bible's Gospel of St. Matthew, Chapters 26-27; in addition, libretto by Christian Friedrich Henrici (Picander) from his "Ernst-Schertzhaffte und Satyrische Gedichte," Part 2 (1729).
- Form: In two parts, including a total of 68 musical numbers (78 according to the old system).
- Date of Writing: Leipzig, 1728-29; revisions 1736, 1739, 1745.
- First Performance: March 15, 1729 (Good Friday) in the church of St. Thomas in Leipzig.
History of Bach's St. Matthew Passion
At the time of the death (Nov 19, 1728) of Bach's former employer, the Duke of Anhalt-Koethen, JS Bach and the poet Picander, a young Leipzig postal clerk, were probably already planning a Passion based on the gospel of St. Matthew. Bach wrote St. Matthew passion in 1727. Most probably, St Matthew Passion was performed on a Good Friday in Thomaskirche in Leipzig where Bach was the Kapellmeister. He revised it in 1736, performad it again on March 30, 1736.
St Matthew Passion was only heard outside of Leipzig in 1829 when Felix Mendelssohn performed an abridged version of it in Berlin. It was a great success. The revival of Bach's music by Mendelssohn brought immense attention to JS Bach's works that has persisted until now.
At the time of composing St Matthew Passion, Bach was at the height of his creative powers. He provided the score with such a treasure of truly Baroque ideas and such musical mastery that it's not that easy to take it all in. His music simply overpowers.
Synopsis
This work recounts the story of the capture and crucifixion of Christ, using the words of the Holy Scriptures, often interrupted by the poetic interjections of the chorus – dramatic, lyrical and contemplative. The emotional variety and intensity are correspondingly greater. Because of the magnitude of work which contains no fewer than 68 musical numbers and requires almost five hours to perform, JS Bach's St Matthew Passion is a unique depiction of the suffering and death of Christ.
Characters of St Matthew Passion
- Evangelist (tenor)
- Jesus (bass)
- Judas (bass)
- Peter (bass)
- Pilate (bass)
- Pontifex I/II (basses)
- Maids I/II (soprano and mezzosoprano)
- Witnesses I/II (alto and tenor)
- Pilates Wife (soprano)
- Four solo voices (soprano, alto,tenor, bass),
- Two four-part mixed choruses,
- Boys' chorus.
Orchestration: Two recorders, two flutes, two oboes, two oboes d'amore, two oboes da caccia, viola da gamba, strings, continuo with cello, bassoon, contrabass, organ, and harpsichord.
Structure: Typical of Baroque oratorio and passions, Bach's setting in St Matthew Passion presents a Scriptured-base text in a simple way by using recitative, while the arias set are written in poetic texts presented in a lyrical and monologue-like manner. The recitatives of Jesus are distinct as they are accompanied by both the continuo and entire string section of the first orchestra using long and sustained notes.
Suggested Recordings
- Bach-Handel Recitals
- Bach: St Matthew Passion / Gardiner, Rolfe Johnson, etal. Arkiv Production
- Bach: St Matthew Passion / Christoph Prégardien, etal. / Concentus Musicus Wien / Nikolaus Harnoncourt. Teldec
Source
The World of Oratorio by Kurt Pahlen, Amadeus Press (1990)
For more information, visit the official J.S.Bach website.
