St Matthew Passion BWV 244 by Johann Sebastian Bach

St Matthew Passion BWV 244 by Johann Sebastian Bach – BĂ€renreiter-Verlag – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)

Germany — 1727

Destined for posterity and rediscovered in the 19th century: a meticulously written original score from the pen of Johann Sebastian Bach, decorated with colored inks

  1. The music of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) enjoyed a Renaissance during the 19th century

  2. This revival was begun in Berlin on March 11th, 1829 by Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–47)

  3. Bach’s original manuscript is considered to be one of his most beautiful and is embellished with colored inks

St Matthew Passion BWV 244 by Johann Sebastian Bach

  1. Description
  2. Facsimile Editions (1)
Description
St Matthew Passion BWV 244 by Johann Sebastian Bach

The so-called Bach Revival, a resurgence of interest in and appreciation of the works of Johann Sebastian Bach, was begun in 1829 when Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy decided to present a sacred oratorio by the Baroque composer. The performance stunned the audience, soon societies devoted solely to Bach’s music were created, and the popularity of his music remains to this day. Originally composed for Vespers on Good Friday, this composition is regarded as a highpoint of Western culture.

St Matthew Passion BWV 244 by Johann Sebastian Bach

“I have never experienced such silence or seen an audience moved in this way.”
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy
The music of Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) enjoyed a Renaissance during the 19th century, which was began on March 11th, 1829 with the performance of the St. Mathew Passionby Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809-47) and the Berlin Singakademie. It was the first the work was ever performed outside of Leipzig. A century after this sacred oratorio premiered in Leipzig’s Thomaskirche, audiences were astounded by Bach’s creation. Few other works in the history of music have fascinated listeners and performers to the same degree. Originally composed for Vespers on Good Friday, and even longer in duration than the “St. John Passion”, it reconstructs the story of Christ’s Passion with immense musical, emotional and spiritual intensity. It is regarded today as a highpoint of Western culture. Bach’s original manuscript is considered to be one of his most beautiful. The composer preserved the historic score for posterity by embellishing it with colored inks, in which the biblical texts and musical notes were written.

Codicology

Alternative Titles
MatthÀus-Passion BWV 244 von Johann Sebastian Bach
Origin
Germany
Date
1727
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Genre
Artist / School

Available facsimile editions:
St Matthew Passion BWV 244 by Johann Sebastian Bach – BĂ€renreiter-Verlag – Staatsbibliothek Preussischer Kulturbesitz (Berlin, Germany)
BĂ€renreiter-Verlag – Kassel, 2006
Facsimile Editions

#1 St. Matthew Passion BWV 244

BĂ€renreiter-Verlag – Kassel, 2006
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