The extraordinary composer, Bach is praised by many other composers. Beethoven said of Bach "Nicht Bach aber Meer haben wir hier", - we have here not a stream but an ocean (Bach means stream in German) and he also mentioned Bach was the "father of all...
The extraordinary composer, Bach is praised by many other composers. Beethoven said of Bach "Nicht Bach aber Meer haben wir hier", - we have here not a stream but an ocean (Bach means stream in German) and he also mentioned Bach was the "father of all harmony", for Max Reger, he was the "beginning and the end of all music", and for Claude Debussy he was simply "the Good Lord of music." Mozart said "He is the father, and we are his children". Many composers, writers praised Bach in this manner. Bach's art is surely omnipresent in the music life of today, accessible to everyone.
Born into a musical family, Bach received an education at schools in Eisenach, Ohrdruf, and Luneburg. Bach's first permanent positions were as organist in Arnstadt (1703-1707) and Miihlhausen (1707-1708). Bach was cantor at the St. Thomas Church and School, and Director of Music for Leipzig.
Bach lived in the Baroque period. At this time, the characteristics of music written and in this style are as follows: diatonic, polyphonic, figured bass, basso continuo, sudden dynamic change, long ornated melodic line, doctrine of Affections, etc. Bach wrote the St. Matthew Passion (BWV 244) which is regarded as one of the masterpieces of classical sacred music. Soprano aria, Aus Liebe will mein Heiland sterben (For love my Savior is now dying) in Matthew passion is an example that has representative musical characteristics of baroque era.
Matthew passion is for solo voices, double choir and double orchestra which make the music majestic, with libretto by Picander (Christian Friedrich Henrici).The recitatives are based on chapters 26 and 27 of the Gospel according to St. Matthew, present a narration of the passion story.
The intent of this study is to present a comparison of John passion and Matthew passion. It also explains the whole structure of Matthew passion like the orchestra role and choir role. This work mainly analyzes the expression things such as word painting technique, imitation to exaggerate the scene in the instrument, harmonization of voice and instrument solo part. perfect blending of solo and choir part though they have very contrastic musical characteristics.
Some figurative rhythmic uses that are related to the text can be found in this passion. For example, in alto recitative, 'Erbarrn es Gott! Hier steht der Heiland angebunden (0 gracious God! Behold, the Saviour standeth bound)', the accompaniment of strings and continuo conjures up a vivid picture of the chastisement by means of a sharp dotted rhythm.
A main characteristic of Bach's chorale settings which distinguishes them from other composers is the expressive harmonic coloring to emphasize particular words or special meaning. The harmonic accompaniment supports the vocal recitatives. When the text means such as 'death', 'pain', 'sorrow', 'fear', chromatic and dissonant chords are often used to express the words. Word painting occurs when the music directly reflects what is stated in the text. For example, the text mentions "heaven," the music gets higher. The 13 chorales, placed at moments of greatest emotional tension such as the prophecy of resurrection, the arrest, the trial, and so on.
When Bach composed his St. Matthew Passion in 1927, praise was not the immediate reaction, but through Mendelssohn's recognition of Bach's genius and his efforts, Bach's works can be accessible to a wider public today and recognized as summits of musical expression.