Bach's St. Matthew Passion (Magnum Opus) - Softcover

Lederer, Victor

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0826429408 ISBN 13: 9780826429407

Publisher: Continuum, 2008

Synopsis

Johann Sebastian Bach's the St. Matthew Passion stands as a singular expression of religious sensibility. First performed in 1727, and conceived within the constraints of Bach's role as cantor of the St. Thomas Church in the provincial German city of Leipzig, the music has a power and profundity that readily transcend time and place. Yet the darkness of the subject - the betrayal, trial, and crucifixion of Jesus - and the complexity and sophistication of Bach's compositional techniques can make the St. Matthew Passion difficult listening for even the most eager novice. By highlighting the inspiration Bach drew from opera, this book truly illuminates the hybrid forms that comprise the work, thereby clarifying many of the composer's dramatic strategies. Drawn from the Gospel of St. Matthew, the narrative sections - featuring characters including the narrator-Evangelist, Pilate, Peter, Judas, and Jesus himself - have tremendous theatrical power, while non-Biblical arias and chorales offer moments of deep reflection and consolation. St. Matthew Passion shows the willing but intimidated beginner the way into the intricacies of Bach's masterwork while unveiling subtleties for the more knowledgeable listener as well. Finally, Lederer recounts the fascinating performance history of the St. Matthew Passion and looks at the merits of different recordings of this extraordinary work, indisputably one of the cornerstones of western music.

About this title

About the Author:

Victor Lederer is a New York-based critical writer on music and cultural issues. He is the author of Chopin: A Listener's Guide to the Master of the Piano in the Unlocking the Masters series from Amadeus Press. He has also published books on Debussy and Williamsburg.

Review:

"Victor Lederer's 132-page guide, the first in Continuum's Magnum Opus series, not only puts the music in historical and theological context; it also draws your attention to crucial but easy-to-miss details in the score." -Damian Thompson, The Telegraph, April 2009

About this edition

• Publisher: Continuum
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 0826429408
• ISBN 13: 9780826429407
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 142