Sacred Choral Music of J.S. Bach

by John Butt

The sacred choral works of J.S. Bach have long been considered among the greatest masterpieces in music. Choir directors and singers need a comprehensive, yet accessible guide that encourages musicians at all levels of ability in the performance of these works, whether in the church or concert. This handbook presents a wealth of information including chapters on Bach's theology, chorales, and ornamentation, as well as a selected and annoted bibliography. It will be an inspiration to the scholarship and practical advice on the performance of sacred choral music of Bach.

Genres: Music

Paperback

First published August 1, 1997

About the author

John Butt is Gardiner Professor of Music at the University of Glasgow and musical director of Edinburgh’s Dunedin Consort. As an undergraduate at Cambridge University, he held the office of organ scholar at King’s College. Continuing as a graduate student working on the music of Bach he received his PhD in 1987. He was subsequently a lecturer at the University of Aberdeen and a Fellow of Magdalene College Cambridge, joining the faculty at UC Berkeley in 1989 as University Organist and Professor of Music.
In autumn 1997 he returned to Cambridge as a University Lecturer and Fellow of King’s College, and in October 2001 he took up his current post at Glasgow.

Reviews

[Richard Marney · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful, at times breathtaking journey through the music of this genius. Each step was a combination of listening, reading, listening again, discussing the music with the three fellow travelers, and then listening again. 6 months it took but truly just a beginning.