MSCY 511/611 (Early Music)

WEEK 11 – JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (WEEK 2)

Bach in Leipzig (1723-1750)
Bach settled in Leipzig in 1723 shortly after marrying his second wife (Anna Magdalena) and
worked at the St. Thomas Lutheran church and school for the rest of his life
◦ He worked as a teacher, choir director, and composer

Bach and his family lived in an apartment at the school

This was a good situation for Bach because:

◦ His position was well respected
◦ He was able to support his large family
◦ He had access to an orchestra whose members came from the local university, the town, and from his
school
Bach in Leipzig

Painted by Felix Mendelssohn

Bach’s vocal music
Working at St. Thomas prompted Bach to write a lot of sacred vocal music

Types of vocal music he composed included cantatas, passions, masses, and oratorios

Bach wrote over 200 cantatas

◦ A cantata is a piece of music for chorus and instruments whose subject was usually whatever Bible
passage would be read in church that week
◦ The church schedule meant that cantatas were needed for up to 60 events per year
Cantata, Wachet Auf (Sleepers awake),
Mvt. IV (1731)
One of Bach’s most popular pieces (he liked it so much that he also transcribed it for organ)

This chorale is the central movement of 7 total movements

The music was written in what was then considered modern style
◦ Short phrases
◦ Phrase endings on weak beats (“galant style”)
◦ “Walking bass”

What characteristics of the string melody are similar to music we listened to last week?
St. Matthew Passion (1727)
Went beyond any previous sacred music in terms of scope, sophistication, expressiveness,
technique, and variety of forms

Written for double chorus, soloists, double orchestra, and two organs

Aria for alto, “Erbarme dich, mein Gott” (Have pity on me, my God)
o Recall that Bach never wrote any operas – this music has some similarities to operatic style, yet how does it still
sound like Bach?
o How does Bach use instruments to support/interact with the voice?
Mass in B Minor (1749)
Compiled music he had written in 1724 and 1733 with newly-composed music

By 1749, Bach’s health was beginning to decline

◦ He worked hard to complete this piece, though he never got to hear it performed in his own lifetime
◦ There is no evidence that anyone commissioned this Mass, suggesting that it was a very personal work for Bach

Represents a sort of summary of Bach’s musical style and legacy

◦ Combined old and new styles, a wide variety of sounds and ensemble arrangements, and astounding technical
ability

Agnus Dei II
◦ The final movement of the Mass
◦ Double fugue for chorus and orchestra (including trumpets and timpani)