God’s Silence in Bach’s Matthew Passion
The Rev. Suzanne Guthrie and Prof. Jessie Ann Owens The Episcopal Church of St. Martin, Davis
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685 – 1750)
Elias Gottlob Haussmann ‐ http://www.jsbach.net/bass/elements/bach‐hausmann.jpg
St. Thomas Church and School. Leipzig [Marshall 2016]
Bach’s Matthew Passion: Three Interwoven Texts 1. Gospel: Matthew 26 and 27 (Luther translation)
PART I Plot to Kill Jesus Annointing at Bethany Judas Agrees to Betray Jesus Passover with the Disciples Institution of the Lord’s Supper Peter’s Denial Foretold Jesus Prays in Gethsemane Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus
PART II Jesus before the High Priest Peter’s Denial of Jesus Jesus Brought before Pilate Suicide of Judas Pilate Questions Jesus Barrabas or Jesus? Pilate Hands Jesus over to be CrucifiSoldiers Mock Jesus Crucifixion of Jesus Death of Jesus Burial of Jesus Guard at the Tomb
Scenes in the Passion Drama
Bach’s Matthew Passion: Three Interwoven Texts 1. Gospel: Matthew 26 and 27 (Luther translation)
2. Poetry by Picander, pen name of Christian
Friedrich Henrici (1700 – 1764)
Picander 1729
Bach’s Matthew Passion: Three Interwoven Texts 1. Gospel: Matthew 26 and 27 (Luther translation)
2. Poetry by Picander, pen name of Christian
Friedrich Henrici (1700 – 1764)
3. Chorales (hymns)
Most beloved Jesus, what wrong have you committed,
That such a severe judgment is pronounced?
What is the trespass, for what sort of misdeeds
Have you been caught?
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 1, track 2
The Guard at the Tomb 62 The next day, that is, after the day of Preparation, the chief priests and the Pharisees
gathered before Pilate 63 and said, “Sir, we remember what that impostor said while he
was still alive, ‘After three days I will rise again.’ 64 Therefore command the tomb to be
made secure until the third day; otherwise his disciples may go and steal him away, and
tell the people, ‘He has been raised from the dead,’ and the last deception would be
worse than the first.” 65 Pilate said to them, “You have a guard of soldiers; go, make it
as secure as you can.” 66 So they went with the guard and made the tomb secure by
sealing the stone.
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 3, t
Meditation: God’s Silence
Bach’s Silence
The Betrayal and Arrest of Jesus 47 While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. 48 Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” 49 At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. 50 Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. PICANDER
Aria: soprano, alto duet with chorus
Sind Blitze: 5 phrases of 4 m., then 2 of 3 m., then 3 of 4 m. 20 + 9 + 12 =38
Eröffne: 5 phrases of 4 m., then 1 of 5 m., then 2 of 4 m. 20 + 5 + 8 =33
SILENCE
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 1, track 27
Aria: soprano, alto duet with chorus
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 1, track 27
1. Text as Prose “He saved others; he cannot save himself. He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’” 2. Text as Sentences • “He saved others; he cannot save himself. • He is the King of Israel; let him come down from the cross now, and we will believe in him.
• He trusts in God; let God deliver him now, if he wants to; for he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”
3. Bach’s Segments • “He saved others; he cannot save himself. • He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross,
• and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; • let God deliver him now, • if he wants to; for he said ‘I am God’s Son ’”
rests (vertical red lines); homophonic texture (yellow); polyphonic (green); symmetrical form (red arch)
Bach’s Segments 1. “He saved others; he cannot save himself. REST two choirs, call and
response, homophonic 2. He is the King of Israel; let him come down now from the cross, REST combined choirs,
polyphonic 3. and we will believe in him. He trusts in God; homophonic
4. let God deliver him now, polyphonic 5. if he wants to; for REST he said, ‘I am God’s Son.’”
homophonicunison
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 3, track 6
Meditation: The Silence of Jesus
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 1, track 11
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 1, track 26
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 3, track 9
Meditation: Praying the Passion
Recording: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (2012), CD 3, track 13
Credits: Recordings: Jeffrey Thomas, American Bach Soloists (1996), 2012 Karl Richter (1958) YouTube Edition: J. S. Bach, Matthäus‐Passion, BWV 244, piano reduction based on the New Bach Ediby Alfred Dürr (Kassel, 1973) Audio clips software: Audacity Gospel text: New Revised Standard Version Picander texts and translations: ABS program notes Picander 1729, Munich, Bayerische Staatsbibliothek Bach’s autograph, Berlin, Staatsbibliothek, Bach P 25 Michael Marissen, Bach’s Oratorios (Oxford, 2008) Robert Marshall and Traute Marshall, Exploring the World of Bach: A Traveller’s Guide (Illinois, 2016)