God’s Silence in Bach’s Matthew Passion · God’s Silence in Bach’s Matthew Passion The Rev....

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


2. Poetry by Picander, pen name of Christian

Friedrich Henrici (1700 – 1764)

Picander 1729


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


Aria: soprano, alto duet with chorus


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


Meditation: The Silence of Jesus

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane


Meditation: Praying the Passion

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)

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