Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a … Read Full Bio ↴Johann Sebastian Bach (31 March [O.S. 21 March] 1685 – 28 July 1750) was a German composer and musician of the Baroque period. He is known for instrumental compositions such as the Brandenburg Concertos and the Goldberg Variations, and vocal music such as the St Matthew Passion and the Mass in B minor. Since the 19th-century Bach Revival he has been generally regarded as one of the greatest composers of all time.
The Bach family already counted several composers when Johann Sebastian was born as the last child of a city musician in Eisenach. Having become an orphan at age 10, he lived for five years with his eldest brother, after which he continued his musical formation in Lüneburg. From 1703 he was back in Thuringia, working as a musician for Protestant churches in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen and, for longer stretches of time, at courts in Weimar—where he expanded his repertoire for the organ—and Köthen—where he was mostly engaged with chamber music. From 1723 he was employed as Thomaskantor (cantor at St. Thomas) in Leipzig. He composed music for the principal Lutheran churches of the city, and for its university's student ensemble Collegium Musicum. From 1726 he published some of his keyboard and organ music. In Leipzig, as had happened in some of his earlier positions, he had a difficult relation with his employer, a situation that was little remedied when he was granted the title of court composer by the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland in 1736. In the last decades of his life he reworked and extended many of his earlier compositions. He died of complications after eye surgery in 1750.
Bach enriched established German styles through his mastery of counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and his adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include hundreds of cantatas, both sacred and secular. He composed Latin church music, Passions, oratorios and motets. He often adopted Lutheran hymns, not only in his larger vocal works, but for instance also in his four-part chorales and his sacred songs. He wrote extensively for organ and for other keyboard instruments. He composed concertos, for instance for violin and for harpsichord, and suites, as chamber music as well as for orchestra. Many of his works employ the genres of canon and fugue.
Throughout the 18th century Bach was primarily valued as an organist, while his keyboard music, such as The Well-Tempered Clavier, was appreciated for its didactic qualities. The 19th century saw the publication of some major Bach biographies, and by the end of that century all of his known music had been printed. Dissemination of scholarship on the composer continued through periodicals and websites exclusively devoted to him, and other publications such as the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV, a numbered catalogue of his works) and new critical editions of his compositions. His music was further popularised through a multitude of arrangements, including for instance the Air on the G String, and of recordings, for instance three different box sets with complete performances of the composer's oeuvre marking the 250th anniversary of his death.
The Bach family already counted several composers when Johann Sebastian was born as the last child of a city musician in Eisenach. Having become an orphan at age 10, he lived for five years with his eldest brother, after which he continued his musical formation in Lüneburg. From 1703 he was back in Thuringia, working as a musician for Protestant churches in Arnstadt and Mühlhausen and, for longer stretches of time, at courts in Weimar—where he expanded his repertoire for the organ—and Köthen—where he was mostly engaged with chamber music. From 1723 he was employed as Thomaskantor (cantor at St. Thomas) in Leipzig. He composed music for the principal Lutheran churches of the city, and for its university's student ensemble Collegium Musicum. From 1726 he published some of his keyboard and organ music. In Leipzig, as had happened in some of his earlier positions, he had a difficult relation with his employer, a situation that was little remedied when he was granted the title of court composer by the Elector of Saxony and King of Poland in 1736. In the last decades of his life he reworked and extended many of his earlier compositions. He died of complications after eye surgery in 1750.
Bach enriched established German styles through his mastery of counterpoint, harmonic and motivic organisation, and his adaptation of rhythms, forms, and textures from abroad, particularly from Italy and France. Bach's compositions include hundreds of cantatas, both sacred and secular. He composed Latin church music, Passions, oratorios and motets. He often adopted Lutheran hymns, not only in his larger vocal works, but for instance also in his four-part chorales and his sacred songs. He wrote extensively for organ and for other keyboard instruments. He composed concertos, for instance for violin and for harpsichord, and suites, as chamber music as well as for orchestra. Many of his works employ the genres of canon and fugue.
Throughout the 18th century Bach was primarily valued as an organist, while his keyboard music, such as The Well-Tempered Clavier, was appreciated for its didactic qualities. The 19th century saw the publication of some major Bach biographies, and by the end of that century all of his known music had been printed. Dissemination of scholarship on the composer continued through periodicals and websites exclusively devoted to him, and other publications such as the Bach-Werke-Verzeichnis (BWV, a numbered catalogue of his works) and new critical editions of his compositions. His music was further popularised through a multitude of arrangements, including for instance the Air on the G String, and of recordings, for instance three different box sets with complete performances of the composer's oeuvre marking the 250th anniversary of his death.
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01Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 1. Chorus I & II Kommt, ihr Töchter, helft mir klagen8:31Johann Sebastian Bach
02Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 2. Evangelista, Jesus Da Jesus diese Rede vollendet hatte0:39Johann Sebastian Bach
03Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 3. Choral Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen0:50Johann Sebastian Bach
04Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 4a. Evangelista Da versammleten sich die Hohenpriester 4b. Chorus I & II Ja nicht auf das Fest 4c. Evangelista Da nun Jesus war zu Bethanien 4d. Chorus I Wozu dienet dieser Unrat 4e. Evangelista, Jesus Da das Jesus merkete2:57Johann Sebastian Bach
07Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 7. Evangelista, Judas Da ging hin der Zwölfen einer0:33Johann Sebastian Bach
08Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 8. Aria (Sopran) Blute nur, du liebes Herz3:53Johann Sebastian Bach
09Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 9a. Evangelista Aber am ersten Tage der süßen Brot 9b. Chorus I Wo willst du, daß wir dir bereiten 9c. Evangelista, Jesus Er sprach: Gehet ihn in die Stadt 9d. Evangelista Und sie wurden sehr betrübt 9e. Chorus I Herr, bin ich's1:48Johann Sebastian Bach
11Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 11. Evangelista, Jesus, Judas Er antwortete und sprach2:45Johann Sebastian Bach
12Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 12. Recitativo (Sopran) Wiewohl mein Herz in Tränen schwimmt1:22Johann Sebastian Bach
13Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 13. Aria (Sopran) Ich will dir mein Herze schenken3:17Johann Sebastian Bach
14Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 14. Evangelista, Jesus Und da sie den Lobgesang gesprochen hatten0:58Johann Sebastian Bach
16Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 16. Evangelista, Petrus, Jesus Petrus aber antwortete0:52Johann Sebastian Bach
18Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 18. Evangelista, Jesus Da kam Jesus mit ihnen zu einem Hofe1:28Johann Sebastian Bach
19Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 19. Recitativo a doi Cori (Tenor) O Schmerz! hier zittert das gequälte Herz1:48Johann Sebastian Bach
20Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 20. Aria a doi Cori (Tenor) Ich will bei meinem Jesu wachen4:21Johann Sebastian Bach
21Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 21. Evangelista, Jesus Und ging hin ein wenig0:40Johann Sebastian Bach
22Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 22. Recitativo (Baß) Der Heiland fällt vor seinem Vater nieder0:52Johann Sebastian Bach
23Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 23. Aria (Baß) Gerne will ich mich bequemen3:56Johann Sebastian Bach
24Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 24. Evangelista, Jesus Und er kam zu seinen Jüngern1:11Johann Sebastian Bach
25Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 25. Choral Was mein Gott will, das g'scheh' allzeit1:08Johann Sebastian Bach
26Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 26. Evangelista, Jesus, Judas Und er kam und fand sie aber schlafend2:13Johann Sebastian Bach
27Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 27a. Aria a doi Cori (Sopran, Alt) So ist mein Jesus nun gefangen 27b. Chorus I & II Sind Blitze, sind Donner in Wolken verschwunden4:03Johann Sebastian Bach
28Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 28. Evangelista, Jesus Und siehe, einer aus denen2:05Johann Sebastian Bach
29Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 29. Choral O Mensch, bewein' dein Sünde groß5:24Johann Sebastian Bach
30Matthäus-Passion: Erster Teil, 30. Aria (Alt, Chorus I & II) Ach! nun ist mein Jesus hin3:10Johann Sebastian Bach
31Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 31. Evangelista Die aber Jesum gegriffen hatten0:51Johann Sebastian Bach
32Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 32. Choral Mir hat die Welt trüglich gericht't0:55Johann Sebastian Bach
33Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 33. Evangelista, Testis I & II, Pontifex Und wiewohl viel falsche Zeugen herzutraten0:56Ingolf Horenburg
34Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 34. Recitativo (Tenor) Mein Jesus schweigt zu falschen Lügen stille1:07Johann Sebastian Bach
36Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 36a. Evangelista, Pontifex, Jesus Und der Hohepriester antwortete 36b. Chorus I & II Er ist des Todes schuldig 36c. Evangelista Da speieten sie aus in sein Angesicht 36d. Chorus I & II Weissage uns, Christe1:54Ingolf Horenburg
38Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 38a. Evangelista, Ancilla I & II, Petrus Petrus aber saß draußen im Palast 38b. Chorus II – Evangelista, Petrus Wahrlich, du bist auch einer von denen2:09Johann Sebastian Bach
40Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 40. Choral Bin ich gleich von dir gewichen1:09Johann Sebastian Bach
41Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 41a. Evangelista, Judas Des Morgens aber hielten alle Hohenpriester 41b. Chorus I & II Was gehet uns das an 41c. Evangelista, Pontifex I & II Und er warf die Silberlinge in den Tempel1:34Johann Sebastian Bach
42Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 42. Aria (Baß) Gebt mir meinen Jesum wieder2:51Johann Sebastian Bach
43Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 43. Evangelista, Pilatus, Jesus Sie hielten aber einen Rat1:53Johann Sebastian Bach
45Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 45a. Evangelista, Pilatus, Uxor Pilati, Chorus I & II Auf das Fest aber hatte der Landpfleger 45b. Chorus I & II Laß ihn kreuzigen!2:17Johann Sebastian Bach
46Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 46. Choral Wie wunderbarlich ist doch diese Strafe0:54Johann Sebastian Bach
47Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 47. Evangelista, Pilatus Der Landpfleger sagte0:15Johann Sebastian Bach
48Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 48. Recitativo (Sopran) Er hat uns allen wohlgetan0:56Johann Sebastian Bach
49Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 49. Aria (Sopran) Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben3:41Johann Sebastian Bach
50Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 50a. Evangelista Sie schrieen aber noch mehr 50b. Chorus I & II Laß ihn kreuzigen! 50c. Evangelista, Pilatus Da aber Pilatus sahe 50d. Chorus I & II Sein Blut komme über uns 50e. Evangelista Da gab er ihnen Barrabam los1:52Johann Sebastian Bach
52Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 52. Aria (Alt) Können Tränen meiner Wangen5:25Johann Sebastian Bach
53Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 53a. Evangelista Da nahmen die Kriegsknechte 53b. Chorus I & II Gegrüßet seist du, Judenkönig 53c. Evangelista Und speieten ihn an0:57Johann Sebastian Bach
55Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 55. Evangelista Und da sie ihn verspottet hatten0:42Johann Sebastian Bach
56Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 56. Recitativo (Baß) Ja! freilich will in uns das Fleisch und Blut0:29Johann Sebastian Bach
58Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 58a. Evangelista Und da sie an die Stätte kamen 58b. Chorus I & II Der du den Tempel Gottes zerbrichst 58c. Evangelista Desgleichen auch die Hohenpriester 58d. Chorus I & II Andern hat er geholfen 58e. Evangelista Desgleichen schmäheten ihn3:19Johann Sebastian Bach
59Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 59. Recitativo (Alt) Ach, Golgatha, unsel'ges Golgatha1:24Johann Sebastian Bach
60Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 60. Aria (Alt, Chorus II) Sehet Jesus hat die Hand3:23Johann Sebastian Bach
61Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 61a. Evangelista, Jesus Und von der sechsten Stunde 61b. Chorus I Der rufet dem Elias 61c. Evangelista Und bald lief einer unter ihnen 61d. Chorus II Halt, laß sehen 61e. Evangelista Aber Jesus schriee abermals laut2:04Johann Sebastian Bach
63Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 63a. Evangelista Und siehe da, der Vorhang im Tempel zerriß 63b. Chorus I & II Wahrlich, dieser ist Gottes Sohn gewesen 63c. Evangelista Und es waren viel Weiber da2:16Johann Sebastian Bach
64Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 64. Recitativo (Baß) Am Abend da es kühle war1:52Johann Sebastian Bach
65Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 65. Aria (Baß) Mache dich, mein Herze, rein5:59Johann Sebastian Bach
66Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 66a. Evangelista Und Joseph nahm den Leib 66b. Chorus I & II Herr, wir haben gedacht 66c. Evangelista, Pilatus Pilatus sprach zu ihnen2:15Johann Sebastian Bach
67Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 67. Recitativo (Sopran, Alt, Tenor, Baß, Chorus I & II) Nun ist der Herr zur Ruh gebracht1:58Johann Sebastian Bach
68Matthäus-Passion: Zweiter Teil, 68. Chorus I & II Wir setzen uns mit Tränen nieder4:56Johann Sebastian Bach
69Matthäus-Passion: Anhang 56. Recitativo Ja! freilich will in uns (Fassung für Gambe)0:32Johann Sebastian Bach
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J.S. Bach: St Matthew Passion, BWV 244 (Matthäus-Passion)
Johann Sebastian Bach Lyrics
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