Bach Among the TheologiansThis superb and enduring contribution to the Johann Sebastian Bach tricentennial focuses on Bach's vocation as a musician of the church and on his work as a theologian. Although Bach is most often remembered for his music, Jaroslav Pelikan here reminds us of the message of Bach's works and of his understanding and devotion to his vocation within the church. By relating Bach's work to the heritage of the Lutheran Reformation -- musical as well as theological -- Pelikan places Bach within the context of the theological currents of his time. Maintaining that the Reformation heritage provides the underlying thematic and religious inspiration for Bach's work, Pelikan delves into three main movements within Lutheran theology of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries as a framework for understanding Bach. He also demonstrates how Bach's sacred music complements and illustrates these theological trends. In the second portion of the book, Pelikan examines the theological motifs that are reflected in the texts Bach used and in the settings he provided for these texts. The author points to Bach's particular interest in the meaning of the cross, and to redemption and atonement through the death and resurrection of Christ. He notes the centrality of the 'Passions' in Bach's lifework and their importance for the history of the doctrine of atonement. 'Bach Among the Theologians' represents a unique inspirational complement to the many works that concentrate primarily on the composer's personal or secular life. |
Contents
2 | |
The Theological Context of Bachs Church Music | 13 |
Rationalism and Aufkliirung in Bachs Career | 29 |
Confessional Orthodoxy in Bachs Religion | 42 |
Pietism Piety and Devotion in Bachs Cantatas | 56 |
Some Theological Themes | 73 |
Meditation on Human Redemption in | 89 |
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Common terms and phrases
according to Saint Ambrose Anselm aria Augsburg Confession August Hermann Francke Bach Passions Bach Reader Bach's Bach’s Bach’s cantatas Bach’s Mass Bach’s sacred music biblical Blut und Wunden called cantata BWV Catholic celebration century chap chorale preludes chorus Christian Tradition Christmas Oratorio Christoph Wolff Christus Victor church music composed composition confessional orthodoxy contemporary contrast David-Mendel death of Christ doctrine Easter Enlightenment Erdmann Neumeister Ernesti faith Father Feast four seasons German Gospel Gott Handel Haupt voll Blut Herr Holy Spirit human hymnody Ibid interpretation J. S. Bach Jesus Christ Johann August Ernesti Johann Sebastian Bach Komm Leipzig Lenten liturgical Lord Luther’s hymns Lutheran medieval melody Messiah Nicene Creed Passion according Pelikan Pentecost Philipp Spitta Pietist redemption Reformation Reimarus Roman Saint John Passion Saint Matthew Passion Samuel Werenfels satisfaction Savior Schweitzer secular cantata soul stanza Sunday sung Testament thee theme theologians theology Thou tion Trinity Werenfels words