Overview

With the 21st century audience in mind, the scholarship in this book focuses on how Johann Sebastian Bach used his compositional creativity to interpret the message of the Johannine passion narrative from a Lutheran perspective. The book begins by introducing St. John Passion in terms of its ongoing importance and relevance by providing a brief historical context as well as exploring its enduring legacy. It provides an update on important points of biblical and theological scholarship for the libretto itself. The book then focuses on the performance history of the work, featuring fresh translations of the libretto along with musical and theological commentary for each of the forty movements and highlighting Bach’s compositional creativity. The book also deals with important questions regarding the Gospel of John, Martin Luther’s theology, and questions about anti-Judaism and antisemitism in the libretto.

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9781538179963

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Reviews

"""An excellent discussion of the continued role and importance of this seminal work. It is an engaging mix of musical, historical, and theological information, thorough enough to please the serious Bach aficionado, while still remaining approachable to those who simply wish to know more about the topic."" ""This is a responsible and detailed cross-disciplinary study around Bach's St. John Passion. In addition to an analysis of the Passion itself, it weaves together history and legacy; interpretation in the twenty-first century; performance practice; musical, theological, textual, and Biblical discussions; and questions about anti-Semitism and anti-Judaism."" Michael Fuchs and Bradley Jenson offer a thoughtful, original, and updated perspective of the relevance and both the historical and contemporary importance of this enduring work. The scholar, amateur, and lover of J.S. Bach's music will find this book fulfilling."

Author Information

Michael Fuchs is director of choral activities and assistant professor of music at the University of Wisconsin, Superior. Dr. Fuchs is also the director of choral activities at First Lutheran Church in Duluth, Minnesota. Rev. Bradley C. Jenson is an ordained minister for over thirty years. He is the author of Luther and Bach on the Magnificat: For Advent and Christmas.

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