Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Forty Three Southeast Circuit Reformation Update: Week Forty Three Johann Sebastian Bach

Rev. Sean Daenzer Rev. Sean Daenzer Johann Sebastian Bach is recognized the world over as a genius Johann Sebastian Bach is recognized the world over as a genius and one of the greatest composers of all time. He was also a de- and one of the greatest composers of all time. He was also a de- vout and orthodox Lutheran. vout and orthodox Lutheran. Bach was born in (Luther’s school town and home to Bach was born in Eisenach (Luther’s school town and home to the Castle) in 1685 into the Wartburg Castle) in 1685 into a musical family. He was first a a musical family. He was first a violinist, but became intensely violinist, but became intensely interested in music and espe- interested in music and espe- cially the keyboard after the cially the keyboard after the death of his mother while he death of his mother while he was living with His brother, Jo- was living with His brother, Jo- hann Christoph. Bach’s early hann Christoph. Bach’s early schooling was exceptional in the schooling was exceptional in the Lutheran school at Lüneburg, Lutheran school at Lüneburg, where he sang Latin and Ger- where he sang Latin and Ger- man as a choir boy and studied man as a choir boy and studied harpsichord, organ, and com- harpsichord, organ, and com- position. position. In 1703 he was appointed a In 1703 he was appointed a court musician for the Duke of court musician for the Duke of and also became or- Weimar and also became or- ganist at the New Church in ganist at the New Church in Arndstadt. After a brief stint at Arndstadt. After a brief stint at St. Blasius in Mühlhausen, he re- St. Blasius in Mühlhausen, he re- turned to Weimar as court musi- turned to Weimar as court musi- cian. It was here that he wrote cian. It was here that he wrote much of his orchestral and key- much of his orchestral and key- board works including the Well- board works including the Well- Tempered Clavier. He also wrote A statue of Bach sits outside his Tempered Clavier. He also wrote A statue of Bach sits outside his the first of his church cantatas. the first of his church cantatas. home in Eisleben, now a museum home in Eisleben, now a museum 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation 500 Years of the Lutheran Reformation Southeast Circuit North Dakota District Southeast Circuit North Dakota District He served as Kappellmeister first in Köthen, but the territory was He served as Kappellmeister first in Köthen, but the territory was Calvinist and not Lutheran. This limited Bach’s ability to write for the Calvinist and not Lutheran. This limited Bach’s ability to write for the church, since Calvinists do not use instruments. In 1723, however, church, since Calvinists do not use instruments. In 1723, however, Bach returned to Lutheran territory and was appointed Kantor Bach returned to Lutheran territory and was appointed Kantor (director of Church Music) at St. Thomas Church in , where (director of Church Music) at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, where he remained for the rest of his life. he remained for the rest of his life.

The Museum on left. Hankinson Member JoAnn Bladow in the museum enjoy- The Bach House Museum on left. Hankinson Member JoAnn Bladow in the museum enjoy- ing a “Bach Music Listening Chair on right. ing a “Bach Music Listening Chair on right. Here Bach enjoyed a strong working relationship with his pastor Here Bach enjoyed a strong working relationship with his pastor and flourished, though he had frequent disagreements with the and flourished, though he had frequent disagreements with the town council that employed him. He composed 5 years worth of town council that employed him. He composed 5 years worth of cantatas. A cantata is 20-30 “musical sermon.” Divided into a num- cantatas. A cantata is 20-30 “musical sermon.” Divided into a num- ber of sections, a cantata uses the texts appointed for the day and ber of sections, a cantata uses the texts appointed for the day and weaves hymn stanzas (chorales) and poetic couplets together with weaves hymn stanzas (chorales) and poetic couplets together with it. Florid arias would express the encouragement of the Holy Spirit or it. Florid arias would express the encouragement of the Holy Spirit or the response of the Christian soul to God’s Word. In between them the response of the Christian soul to God’s Word. In between them there would be recitatives, almost spoken sections set to music. The there would be recitatives, almost spoken sections set to music. The cantata would come right before the sermon after the creed. cantata would come right before the sermon after the creed. Bach was not only a prolific musician—he also had 20 children Bach was not only a prolific musician—he also had 20 children with two wives (the first died in 1720). After a botched eye surgery with two wives (the first died in 1720). After a botched eye surgery to treat his increasing blindness, he died in 1750. to treat his increasing blindness, he died in 1750. Bach was not an innovator. He was the master and pinnacle, Bach was not an innovator. He was the master and pinnacle, building on those who came before him. Bach’s music was rooted building on those who came before him. Bach’s music was rooted in the chants and hymns of the Church, especially the Historic one- in the chants and hymns of the Church, especially the Historic one- year lectionary. His compositional style (unparalleled in craft) and year lectionary. His compositional style (unparalleled in craft) and his theology (thoroughly Lutheran) were both going out of fashion his theology (thoroughly Lutheran) were both going out of fashion in his time. Scholars sometimes date the end of the Orthodox peri- in his time. Scholars sometimes date the end of the Orthodox peri- od of to 1750 merely on Bach’s account. od of Lutheranism to 1750 merely on Bach’s account. Though Bach is a “saint” for musicians, his proper home is with us Though Bach is a “saint” for musicians, his proper home is with us as Lutherans. His music was not dedicated to his own genius, but as Lutherans. His music was not dedicated to his own genius, but always began with the words “Jesu Juva” (Jesus, help!) and con- always began with the words “Jesu Juva” (Jesus, help!) and con- cluded, “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone be the Glory). cluded, “Soli Deo Gloria” (To God Alone be the Glory).

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