O Haupt voll Blut und Wunden
Johann Sebastian Bach
“The final aim and reason of all music is nothing other than the glorification of God and the refreshment of the spirit.”
Johann Sebastian Bach really needs no introduction…so I won’t give him any. His compositions are known and celebrated worldwide. Just think of the beauty of his Mass in B Minor, the sombre Cello Suites, or the lively and exciting Brandenburg Concertos. All masterpieces. Indeed I could go on and on about Bach, as friends of mine know that he is my favourite composer. His influence on both the progression of Western Music as well as modern music that I love is incalculable.
How fitting then for this Passiontide to examine one of his most monumental works: the “St. Matthew Passion.” Indeed, it is one of the most important pieces in all of Western Music. I had the pleasure of seeing this performed live last year on Palm Sunday, the very day in which Holy Mother Church chants the very same Passion in Her liturgy. It serves as a powerful reflection on the action taking place. One is able to pray with this work, to meditate on the passion and death of Our Lord as the music guides you through it. It is evident how well Bach knew the text, how he is spiritually connected to it. The music, along with the words, tells the story in powerful and dramatic fashion.
I haven’t the musical acumen to give a full treatment of this gargantuan work, so I’ll let a couple others do the work for me. Firstly, here’s a video of James Gilchrist giving a tour of sorts of the work. If you have never listened to the work, then this may be a good place to start before diving in. It gives some guideposts, especially since the entire work is in German and unfamiliar to English listeners.
Secondly, here is the great Leonard Bernstein describing the sublime drama of the work (he uses an English translation):
I also highly recommend his St. John Passion. It is a shorter work, and definitely suitable for Good Friday: Spotify Apple Music
Happy Listening!
Sancta Caecilia, ora pro nobis!