Johann Sebastian Bach Essay

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Another famous work of Johann Sebastian Bach is St. Matthew Passion, BWV 244. This passion tells the Easter story and constitutes of a Biblical narrative to begin, a chorale, another Biblical narrative, an aria, and ends with a chorale. The Biblical narratives summarize the Last Supper when Jesus tells His disciples of the things to come and Peter’s denial of Christ. The text of this passion derives from Matthew 26-27, saying in No. 39, Aria: Erbarme dich: Have mercy, My God, for the sake of my tears! Look here – [my] heart and eyes weep before you bitterly (Burkholder and Palisca, 822). The text to this aria represents Jesus in the garden crying out to his Father. Bach is particularly expressive in Erbarme dich by using a solo violin for the obbligato. This portion is minor with a stepwise descending bass line, many appoggiaturas, and chromaticism that resembles sighing. In No. 40, Chorale: Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen, the text says: Though I have turned aside from You, I do, indeed, come back: Your Son has indeed reconciled [the ledger] for us By his fear and [his] death pains. I do not disavow my debt; But Your grace and favor Is much greater than the sin That I find ever within myself (Burkholder…show more content…
It seems through these examples among others that Bach’s life goal was to honor and glorify God, as he says “The aim and final end of all music should be none other than the glory of God and the refreshment of the soul.” Bach was able to reach more people than many other composers because of his sacred music. It was in Germany’s culture, at this time, to attend church and worship God. The common man was exposed to Bach’s works more so than other composers because they went to church. While other composers are still influential and gifted, Bach trumps them because of his desire to connect people with God through his

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