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J S Bach – Mattháuspassion BWV 244

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 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

 J S Bach (1685-1750)

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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 untilnow.

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. JS Bach also wrote an

earlier one, St John Passion.

Synopsis of Bach St. Matthew Passion

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.

• 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.

 Peter Eliardsson